Job v/s Profession

I originally went to Nicholls State University to study Mass Communication specializing in Broadcast Journalism. However, I didn't think I would be able to find a job like that here in Louisiana (Now look, Louisiana is now known as the Hollywood of the South, go figure). But then NSU started offering the Paramedic Program. Yes! My first career choice is now a degree option at NSU. Long story short, I had to wait a semester to start the program and Louisiana Technical College had a class that started before then. This was in 1997 - Although not that long ago, it seem like it was forever ago. This was when I decided to follow my passion and become a medic. I didn't know then that there were different levels of being an EMT, but I knew I wanted to be one. I wanted to help others in their time of need. I have always been one of those people that would help others before I would help myself.

I was also a volunteer with Schriever Volunteer Fire Department,

So helping people was in my blood and I had a taste for it and I wanted more. When I first became an EMT. Being an EMT meant that you were a professional. Being an Emergency Medical Technician was a profession. Something that you decided to do and were planning to do for the rest of your career. Professionals were respected in their field and all levels respected each other. There was no such thing as a Paragod. Both the EMT-Basic and Paramedic were partners in that there was no one better than the others. The only difference was one could give meds and the other could not. Both treated the patient and both were responsible for everything, including station and unit duties.

Somewhere along the line, it seems being an EMT (Basic and Paramedic) has become a job to some and no longer a profession.Yes, what we do is a job in the sense that we trade time
for money, but when you are looking at something as a job versus a profession, then you have lost the reason you got into this profession. We should not forget our purpose and our passion. If you say it is about money, then you were never in this profession for the right reason to begin with. There is no secret that careers in the service profession are not money makers (Fire, Police, EMS, Teachers, etc.) We all knew this before we signed up. We signed up because we wanted to make a difference in someone's life.

When something becomes a job, then you no longer look forward to going to work. Then you depend on others to change this for you instead of you making a change in yourself. You are the only one that can change this. It is up to you to make that change and to better yourself for your own benefit. It reminds me of the quote "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country?" A Job v/s Profession is a mindset. It is how you view things. It is the way that you choose to complete your job. Do you just do what is needed to get by, or do you go the extra mile and make it better?

We all have a duty to be the best that we can be for our profession and our career. Even if you don't stay in the EMS field, while you are here you owe it to the others before you not to tarnish what has been a long journey to be known as a professional.

Thanks again for stopping by, please leave a comment. And share with others, especially if you think they need to hear this message. As always, BE SAFE out there!