Firefighters.
Hello! My name is Tony and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in the firefighting field for a foundation in health science class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be part of my assignment.
1) what profession did you choose? why?
2) How many years of college did you need to go through?
3) What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
4) How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this feild?
5) Were you in a college program?
6) Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
7) Did you shadow another professional in the field?
8) Did you join any school clubs?
9) Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
10) What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
11) Were you in the military before you chose your profession?
12) Are you often stressed at your job?
13) Did you grow up in a low income, medium income, or a high income environment?
1 answer
Janet’s Answer
Good luck with your project!
Janet
1) what profession did you choose? why?
I loved the aspect of helping people and the family atmosphere of the fire service.
2) How many years of college did you need to go through?
At the time I became a firefighter (early 1980’s) a college degree was not required but I do have a bachelor’s degree and a year of grad school (Teaching Credential).
My higher education did qualify me for promotions and I retired as one of the highest ranking chief officers in my Department.
3) What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
-Cashier
-Waitress
-EMT
-Teacher
4) How can I decide if I should earn a PH.D in this feild?
- if you’re goal is to become a chief officer, higher education will be helpful if not required, although a Masters degree in something like Public Administration should suffice.
5) Were you in a college program?
Santa Rosa Junior College for GE and fire science then the CSU system for BA and graduate studies. Some Junior Colleges have excellent 6 mos - 1 year long fire academies. Butte Community College in Northern CA is one example of a well regarded program.
6) Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
In the fire service, you are always learning and departments provide ongoing training. As for my formal education, I went to college concurrently when I was a young firefighter (18-22).
7) Did you shadow another professional in the field?
No but I had many incredible mentors and role models. Departments also have Training Officers who are great resources for career development.
8) Did you join any school clubs?
Sports teams (basketball, soccer, volleyball). I highly recommend this as the concept of being part of a team is analogous to the fire station environment.
9) Was there a particular subject you struggled with during your school years?
I was not a fan of math but fire engineering requires you to understand mathematical formulas, hydraulics, etc.
Science is important for understanding fire behavior and if you want to join a Haz Mat team, an understanding of chemistry is critical. If you want to promote, writing skills and public speaking are very important.
10) What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?
I honed my ‘people skills’ as you are definitely work with a wide variety of colleagues and members of the public. My speaking skills were honed as well, as I was often dealing with the media, elected officials and community groups.
11) Were you in the military before you chose your profession?
No but that is a great route to go. Many Departments give preference hiring points to Veterans. The military can prepare you for the para-military environment of the fire service.
12) Are you often stressed at your job?
Not until I was a chief officer and had to deal with political, budgetary, media and personnel ‘fires’.
That’s not to say there weren’t hard or stressful days as a ‘field/floor’ firefighter but I loved that part of my career - it felt meaningful.
For the hard calls/times many Departments have peer counseling and/or employee support services. It was not a common thing in the ‘old days’ of my early career but those services are widely available now.
13) Did you grow up in a low income, medium income, or a high income environment?
Solid middle class upbringing as the oldest of four children of school teachers.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Tony