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College (or lack thereof)
This goes out to the firefighters (particularly the career ones) that don't have college degrees.
Have you ever felt ashamed or embarrassed at the fact that you are not a college graduate?
I was just made to feel ashamed that I stopped going to college to pursue a career in firefighting and I just need a hand dealing with it.
Have you ever felt ashamed or embarrassed at the fact that you are not a college graduate?
I was just made to feel ashamed that I stopped going to college to pursue a career in firefighting and I just need a hand dealing with it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
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I did not finish my degree, photojournalism. I wanted to be a firefighter all along anyhow. Just wasn't "what you do". I have a more secure job and make more money than a lot of my friends that have that piece of paper. No shame here.
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Permalink Reply by rescueortruck on
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Hey I would not feel bad. Some of the best firefighters I know do not have a college degree. But I do alot of them that do also and they are just as good. The only thing is alot of fire departments through out the US are going to a policy where if a person does not have a degree then they can not move up the ladder pf promotion. I am a college grad but that does not make me any better then any body else.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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Speaking as a college graduate, anyone that ridicules you for not having a degree is educated beyond their intelligence. Task-level firefighting requires and understanding of chemistry, physics, and engineering, but it also requires skill, intelligence, and toughness that can't be acquired in college.
Should career fire officers have at least an associate's degree in a related field - probably.
Do entry-level firefighters need a degree - nope.
Some of the best firefighters I've ever met have no formal education beyond a high school diploma, and one of the best paramedics I've ever worked with has a GED. Their worth to themselves, their families, their organizations, and their community are measured by who they are and their dedication and courage, not by where they went to school or how long.
The same goes for you!
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Permalink Reply by John on
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I did 2 years of college taking general ed courses. That was were I got into EMS and then on into fire. If you added all my training through the levels of fire and EMS I would have basically 4 years of specialized training. Add 2 years of college and I have 6 years after high school training. Do I feel ashamed or embarrassed? Not at all! I worked hard in my fields of study, and hopefully have something positive to bring to the table...or fire...or patient. I know alot of people who are college educated and are dumber than a box of rocks. Perhaps whomever was giving you a hard time about your education is simply jealous that you're happy to go to work every shift? Be yourself, but don't be embarrassed.
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Permalink Reply by John on
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I'm a volley but I am attempting to go to college and at least learn enough to help me out in the field on calls. but no degree yet an don't know if I will have time to get one with my age.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Adam, first of all, all the college you could take all your life would not adequately prepare you for the work that you face every day at work. It pisses me off that I run into this attitude from time to time. Especially when I look at job applications. I have 28 years of experience in the fire service. 17 of that as full time paid Fire Chief. It irritates me that a person with little to no actual experience or qualifications beyond the college training would have more opportunity then a person with actual experience. About like affirmative action.
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