Chris — Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic)
Why did you choose to study health services and support (paramedic practice)?
I choose this course for a number of reasons. Primarily, it was because I had a desire to help people and have an impact on their lives. Health services provided the best opportunity to achieve my goal. Secondly, I needed satisfaction in what I did as a course and further on as a career. Some people need financial security; some feel obliged to let their artistic creativity flow. Myself? I desired a career that would hold respect within the community. Finally, I wanted a course and career that had good prospects ” not a general course for the sake of having a degree. Paramedic practice satisfied these reasons.
What was the best thing about your course?
The best thing was the amount of experienced lectures, tutors and other staff. Having recently qualified as a paramedic I can see the benefit this has had. The lecturers and tutors we had were also working in very senior roles and were well respected throughout the paramedic workforce. This helped us develop somewhat of a subculture between the paramedic students, which made the course enjoyable and rocking up to long lectures bearable.
What was the worst thing about your course?
For me, the travel time ” they only offered the course at one campus and it was difficult to commute throughout my three years. In addition, when I began this course it was still new. It had slight structural difficulties with subjects that could have been taught earlier or later.
What did your course involve?
My course encompassed a range of lectures, with regular lecturers and guest speakers (for example, doctors specialising in strokes or trauma) that provided us with a whole lot more than just theory. In addition, the course offered labs and pracs that allowed us to implement our recently learned skills. The tutorials allowed for a smaller and more focused forum for discussion and learning.
Have you found work in your field?
Yes, I ™m currently employed with Ambulance Victoria (where I completed my graduate year) and have recently become fully qualified.
What advice would you give to students considering studying paramedic practice?
Simply do what you desire and work hard at it, and over time you ™ll see the results. Paramedics is a wonderful course and the job is even better ” I never do the same thing twice and my office is anywhere. As for getting a job, make sure you go to any extra sessions that are organised and use the job-hunting tips they give you.
Will you complete further study?
If I feel I need to further my skills and knowledge, it ™s definitely on the cards.
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