Am I being foolish?

scotton86

Hi All,

I've been a lurker for a while but I wanted to post to ask for some advice.

I am currently in full time employment, in the rat race, and am really starting to despise it. I really want to get out there and do something worthwhile.

I am looking into becoming a paramedic. Because of the cuts etc, the only entry route now is through getting a degree in Paramedic Sciences. So I was looking at going to university (I'm 24 so would be a mature student) and getting my degree.

I'm getting married in November, and we already have a house and a mortgage etc, I'm just worried that my ridiculous timing with all the fees going up etc, that I'm going to put me and my partner under too much strain financially.

Has anyone gone from full time work into university? I don't know if chasing my dream is going to end up being too costly for us to manage!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Dot

melancholly

have you done a degree before? if not, then you'll be eligible for funding so you may have big loans (that may never get fully paid off!) but it won't be paying upfront and repayments will be a fixed percentage of salary and not crippling. can your fianc!e's salary largely support you? even with maintenance loans, it isn't a huge income.

might be worth listing all incoming and outgoings and seeing what kind of lifestyle changes might be needed. it may be foolish - but equally it may be a brilliant way to do a job you would enjoy (which can be priceless!).

scotton86

Hiya,

I haven't done a degree before, no. I was trying to work out if I have enough UCAS points for the course last night, but I need to get my certificates out and have a proper look. Fingers crossed I do, if not then I'll have to get some OU credits or do an access course I guess.

At the moment me and my fianc!e earn about the same amount, so we would be cutting that in half essentially, something which I'm not sure we could do. I was thinking I could get a part time job to top it up a bit, but there are no guarantees in this climate really.

My timing on this one is really poor! 12 months ago I could have started as a trainee paramedic and done the degree on the job, not having to worry about having to go back to university. Fate has a hand in this I'm sure!

bethjo

scotton86 wrote: »

Hiya,

I haven't done a degree before, no. I was trying to work out if I have enough UCAS points for the course last night, but I need to get my certificates out and have a proper look. Fingers crossed I do, if not then I'll have to get some OU credits or do an access course I guess.

At the moment me and my fianc!e earn about the same amount, so we would be cutting that in half essentially, something which I'm not sure we could do. I was thinking I could get a part time job to top it up a bit, but there are no guarantees in this climate really.

My timing on this one is really poor! 12 months ago I could have started as a trainee paramedic and done the degree on the job, not having to worry about having to go back to university. Fate has a hand in this I'm sure!

Have you had a look at local unis to see what kind of courses they offer? Make an appointment to see someone and have a good chat to them. For example, the course I'm doing is classed as 'full-time' because it's a work-based learning degree. I only go in one night a week (However, I have to work in the morning then study 1-9, grim) and then can class my work hours as learning hours

I take it your job isn't anything to do with Paramedical?

Also, have a look at Diplomas, my friend is currently doing one, she's in uni 3 days a week then does work placements for NHS, she gets £500 a month for it and is still entitled to some loans and bursaries.

Hope that helps.

dmg24

Do you know anyone already in the job? I know someone in Nottinghamshire and from what he has said everyone that they have recruited has had prior experience, either as a technician and/ or in the call centre. I would definitely do some more research before you commit.

Oldernotwiser

scotton86 wrote: »

At the moment me and my fianc!e earn about the same amount, so we would be cutting that in half essentially, something which I'm not sure we could do. I was thinking I could get a part time job to top it up a bit, but there are no guarantees in this climate really.

Although you would certainly be worst off financially, your income would certainly not be halved as you'll receive the student funding package on top of your fiance's income.

scotton86

Hi all,

Thankyou very much for your replies.

I do know 2 people in the local ambulance service who went in about 12 months ago under the old entry system, so they are trying to help me out but because it's a new system theyre a bit unsure.

My current job is nothing to do with medical no, I'm a quality manager for a telecoms company! I am an officer in the Air Training Corps though, which means I have a lot of volunteering work under my belt, which is looked well upon so I'm told. I'm also a qualified Mountain Leader, which gives me plenty of first aid experience. I just don't want to sit behind a desk all day any more, and becoming a paramedic has always been in the back of my mind, and now I think I'm ready to give it a go.

I know my local university (Birmingham) does courses, though theyre not running one this year, so I might book an appointment with someone there and have a chat about it with them. I'm sure they can give me plenty more info.

I'm just worried about the financial implications of it more than anything. I'm confident I have what it takes and could complete the degree. There's a niggle in the back of my mind that I'd be stuck for a job at the end of it because of the cuts etc, but that's a risk I'm going to have to take to do what I want to do.

atypical

You'll probably find this Prospects page useful:

http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/paramedic_job_description.jsp

Person_one

You should be aware that getting onto a paramedic course is incredibly competitive. The uni nearest me that offers it had 16 places available for Sep 2011 and over 2000 applicants, this is standard. If you do apply for 2012 the chances are very high that you wouldn't get a place and would end up having to wait a year to apply again in 2013, still with no guarantees.

If you're interested in a healthcare role have you considered any of the other professions? You could study nursing and then work in A&E if the emergency aspect appeals to you, what about radiography, physio, ODP etc?

If you do decide to go for it, I'd start looking now for jobs as ambulance technician/ambulance support etc. at your local trust. It might be a pay cut but its incredibly valuable experience and a reference from someone within the ambulance service would be invaluable on your application.

atypical

I recently came across this blog post. It's written by a paramedic who has been practicing (and blogging) for some years now. Starts from:

I have received more and more emails by young people (and some not so young) who want to start University and get a degree in Paramedic Science. I get a lot of requests for information and advice but, unlike a few years ago, my recent feedback has been rather negative.

nicolax

also if you cant apply for this year it may be worth joining something like st. johns ambulance. although it isnt paid it is some experience so may help you when applying to the course, as someone already said it is very competitive