HalfPint

All of you are so awesome! Thanks to each and every one of you for your responses, they really helped a lot.

Hello Everyone, Newbie here, with some questions. I am a 33 year old female accountant who has quit my job and enrolled in an EMT-B course to pursue my life long dream of someday becoming a Paramedic. My tuition is paid, I have my text books, and class starts next month. So now I have a ton of questions before I start this journey.... -Is it crazy to think that I could be an EMT-B and even progress on to an EMT-P at the age of 33? -Has anyone ever heard of other women my age starting this career? -Is there any gender/age bias in the field (or in school) that I should prepare myself for? Off the record of course. -The first chapter in my textbook states that I "should be able to lift and carry up to 125 pounds". I can do 80 so far, will that be a problem for me in school? I wont have my ride along until mid July. Im sure I can get there by then. -My school only does one 10-12 hour ride along at the end of the program. When you were a student did you feel that was enough in the field time? Do people ever get more time if they volunteer for it? -What is the harsh reality of actually finding employment (at any rate of pay), as a fresh EMT-B grad? -Is there anyone else who has ever gone through my similar situation and is in California? -How many of you went to a trade school (or vocational school) versus a junior college or university? Thanks in advance for your responses everyone, You all have my utmost respect for what you do every day!