Accountant/firefighter

[bdubs4040]

Hey guys,

If any of you have time to give some opinions on my situation I would really appreciate the insight. I'm wondering if my degree (bachelor of science in accounting) would add to my firefighter resume at all. I'm trying to build up my resume right now, so I'm going to go through the EMT basic training, but I don't have the time flexibility to work in the paramedic training as well. Long story short, I'm wondering if my degree means anything in the hiring process. Being thirty-two, am I out of luck if I don't have the paramedic certification too, or does my degree help my efforts?

Thanks in advance

[FWDbuff]

Hey guys,

If any of you have time to give some opinions on my situation I would really appreciate the insight. I'm wondering if my degree (bachelor of science in accounting) would add to my firefighter resume at all. I'm trying to build up my resume right now, so I'm going to go through the EMT basic training, but I don't have the time flexibility to work in the paramedic training as well. Long story short, I'm wondering if my degree means anything in the hiring process. Being thirty-two, am I out of luck if I don't have the paramedic certification too, or does my degree help my efforts?

Thanks in advance

All depends on the requirements of the Municipality(ies) you plan on applying at. Some require college credits (any kind of course work), some require classes fire-related, and some require no previous fire training or college credits of any kind whatsoever.

[GRNFT]

It absolutely means something. It shows you started and completed a degree in a complex field, something a lot of your fellow applicants will not have in their arsenal. A 2 year, 4 year, Masters, whatever degree should always go on your resume.

[fire49]

It sure will when become chief or CFO
Yes it does look good and good second job

[bdubs4040]

Wow, you guys are much more supportive than those on the law enforcement forums. THANKS! I'm not naive, and I don't believe for a second that this degree is worth nearly as much as a paramedic certification, but I just can't find a paramedic program around Salt Lake that can be completed during nights and weekends. So here I am trying to make the best out of what I can work for.

[CaptBob]

Ask yourself if your goal is really to become a firefighter? If you’re bent on getting a degree and don’t plan on going to medic school, think about how an unrelated degree will compete with those candidates who have a fire related degree in the oral board? The oral board is usually 100% of your score to get a badge. If you’re not a medic you will only be able to take around 20% of the job offerings. That’s because up to 80% of the job offerings are for fire/medics.

Many think it doesn’t make any difference what your degree is in. Yes, it demonstrates you learned how to learn, had commitment, and you were able to dedicate 4-5 years of your life to obtaining the degree. You sacrificed, set a goal, and achieved it. And, two years after graduation a UC Berkeley study showed 60% were in fields unrelated to their study.

You're looking for a seamless no surprises oral board interview. How do back up your claim of how you really have wanted to be a firefighter, this is your dream department and you didn't pursuit a firefighter related degree? How do you even begin to fire relate a degree in "Romance Languages, Art, Philosophy, Economics, etc.? All you have to do has create doubt with just one rater and it's game over.

I know several firefighter sons who wanted to follow in their father’s foot steps. Even knowing this they went out and got degrees in unrelated fields like finance, psych, etc. All ended up going to medic school to get their badge.

[fire49]

Check for online

http://www.trainingdivision.com/emt-...emt-paramedic/

[fire49]

Cops just have a different attitude to life

Must be something in the doughnuts

[fire49]

Fit your schedule??


http://www.slcfire.com/library/ParamedicProgramFAQ.pdf


https://bems.utah.gov/bems/do/course...tch=viewSearch


Also check the ambulance companies and hospitals

http://degreedirectory.org/articles/...City_Utah.html

[firehousefreakshow]

That degree would definitely help you once your in a management position. Do you like your degree? I mean was it easy for you to get a high paying job? I'm thinking about getting my degree in that same field.

[SVTxDUDE]

Wow, you guys are much more supportive than those on the law enforcement forums. THANKS! I'm not naive, and I don't believe for a second that this degree is worth nearly as much as a paramedic certification, but I just can't find a paramedic program around Salt Lake that can be completed during nights and weekends. So here I am trying to make the best out of what I can work for.

Did you try to be a LEO before this?

[bdubs4040]

I don't know where to respond first haha!

To Capt Bob: No, firefighting hasn't been a lifelong dream. Truth be told I was uninformed until fairly recently. That said, it's enough of a dream to sacrifice nearly double the salary I would get for continuing down the tax law route and working for family. I want to contribute to people's well-being, and they don't get overly excited when the see the lights from the audit truck coming=) I'm a very logical thinker, and accounting/tax law was given to me as a great choice, so I ran with it. It's proven to be an imperfect fit, and firefighting/emergency medic seems to be about the most exciting thing I've ever been involved in. Thousands of pages of taxes would make anyone want to run into a fire. I think at the end of the day, I'll NEED to find a way to get that paramedic certification. I just don't know how to do it in my limited time frame.

To Fire49: The program at The U was my first stop, however I was told that it would be the clinical hours that would conflict with work. Salt Lake City FD tests every two years, being that I won't be finished by the '12 test date, I'm having to shoot for the '14 test date. At which time I'll be 34, and if I need more time to finish the paramedic courses, I could be 36 before being resume-ready for hire. Not that I can't do that, I'm just trying to be honest with myself with regards to the department's desire to hire someone on the back half of their thirties. The work doesn't bother me, I can workout and study 24/7 with the best of em, but I don't want to get my hopes too high and be crushed, ya know?

The online program would fantastic, but I'm assuming I would run into the same issues with clinicals. I'm definitley going to look into that though, I had no idea there was an online option, so big thanks on that one!

To Firehousefreakshow: Speaking to the accounting field, well that I can definitely do. Some quick points: I do like accounting. I was recruited heavily starting in my junior year. Accounting is the most highly recruited major you'll find. In some circles they'll consider it the Cadillac of the business degrees. It's a demanding major, so be prepared to work.....HARD. The schooling is demanding. I went to school with a TON of accounting majors, but by the time we were in accounting III, they had changed to finance or marketing. They'll claim they made the change because accounting is "boring." Translation: It's hard as hell. To summarize, lots of work, lots of reward, and it's more fun in the office than in the classroom. If you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me a message. I don't know much about firefighting yet, but I have done quite a bit academically with accounting. As far as the money is concerned, yes, you'll be paid very well provided you get the critical CPA piece taken care of.

[bdubs4040]

To SVTxDUDE: I have been investigating into both fields as fire/law enforcement seem to be very rewarding paths. I looked into law enforcement first, as I was in touch with the FBI because of my gpa and accounting major.

[fire49]

ATF might like you also and could Possibly get into fire investigation
Kind of best of both worlds

[bdubs4040]

Yeah, I've thought about the ATF too. I just really want to be more than a walking calculator. I've actually thought of becoming a paramedic. If the process to become a firefighter is to lenghthy to take on at may age, I was thinking that a paramedic would be equally rewarding. My fiance didn't like the $38K annual salary though.

[fire49]

And I guess she would not want to move ??? To another state

With the tire dept you can do accounting on the side

ATF might use you in many different ways

[bdubs4040]

Actually she's fine with moving, and she was really supportive when I told her I would inevitably have to travel to take tests anywhere I could, it was just the paramedic salary she didn't love. Basically because we both have student loans to payoff.

[fire49]

It appears you can apply without any Certifications ???

http://www.slcfire.com/employment.html

[bdubs4040]

Yeah, I read that and got too excited probably. There also isn't an age limit. Both things make me feel pretty good, or at least good enough to try my hardest, but I wonder what they really mean. I'm wondering if you really showed up with a GED if they would even consider you. I wonder if a guy walked in at 36 years old if he would have a legit shot. Essentially I'm just wondering if I really have a chance, or if the resumes with only EMT or less are kind of tossed out.

[fire49]

Sounds like you need to apply and find out


If you do not step up to the plate and take a swing, you cannot hit the ball