OT:advice needed

hey everyone.... i had surgery 2 years ago...and im loving life.... im down 128 lbs with 15 more to go!! ok down to business.... im 20 years old and have two loves in life.... emergency medicine and law enforcement... right now im in paramedic school and i have 3 semesters to go.... but im realizing i dont love it like i used to.... i know with something like this i need to LOVE it... or i wont be a help to anyone... so im starting to think about the police acadmey more and more everyday... ive heard over and over i would be such a great cop...i just dont know what to do... i love them both.. either way i have to pick an acadmy... fire or police.... anyway.... sorry to unload... i just hope i can get these thoughts stright lex

Hi Lexa, Well, anything - even something you love - can lead to burnout. Sometimes temporary...sometimes not. After 13 years in health and safety and disaster response, I was, well, fried like an egg. But even though I've moved to a different career field, I can always volunteer for my former agencies when needed. Have you done any police ride alongs? My brother (in CA) and I started out in lifeguarding and EMT together. He took that to law enforcement; so he does medical, lifeguarding and law enforcement (yup - a lifeguard with a gun. Only in California). He definitely has a great perspective, and I'd be happy to put you guys in touch if you want to pick his brain since he had the same decision struggles. If you chose the police academy, where would you like to go with it? Beat? Detective? Homicide? K-9? Do you have a career counselor at school? Either way, your choice of career fields is commendable. HTH, Kristen

somehow i knew you would you respond..... yes i have... i have done quite a few... i always have so much fun and im so sad when its over... i work for the sheriffs office down here so i have access to it.... yeah i would go on the beat.... then do undercover stuff and hopefully swat... another thing is that i was thinking about emt stuff was that you can only do so many diff things.... ems... fire... hazmat... flight medic.. thats about it.... i do... i will have to see what she says.. thanx again lex

Alexa, Do you have to go to the fire academy after you finish the next 3 semesters? I am confused about that. I would suggest that maybe you finish the next three semesters and then go to the police academy. That way you have it to fall back on if you change your mind about law enforcement. You can also pick up a few shifts while you are in LE school. Just an idea! I hope the answer comes to you and you find what you really love in life. You are young and have time still for two or three different careers. I have a similar situation. I always wanted to be a nurse and I am but the legal field has also alway tugged on me at the same time. Then again I have always had this strong interest in Hospice and the funeral industry intrigues me for some reason and think I would like to do that. I think when I am able to go back to work I may investigate Hospice nursing. I don't plan on making any changes right now but I may some day. Good luck my dear! Kat