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Aiden
Student
Exeter, PA
3
Questions
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How old were you when you wanted to be a firefighter?
Hello. I am in an 8th grade career writing class and our assignment is to ask questions about jobs were are interested in. When did you know you wanted to be a firefighter? Did you always want to be one?
#firefighter
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1 answer
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Training Officer / EMT
83
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Aiden.
I never had a single moment when I realized I wanted to be a firefighter. My father was a firefighter when he was young, and he used to tell me stories, so I always had an interest. Around the age of 14 or 15 I began looking into it more seriously, and began participating in a youth program put on by a local fire department. Although I really, really enjoyed it, I didn't think it paid well enough, I didn't want to stay in my hometown, and I wanted to do something "bigger", so instead of becoming a firefighter I joined the military.
I continued to serve as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT while I was in the military, and eventually I realized that there is more to life than money, the military wasn't as cool as I thought it would be, and I missed my family / home state. It was at that time, around age 25, that I realized what I really wanted to do was become a career firefighter.
It's awesome that you're thinking about this now! That said, don't feel pressured to make a decision soon, and don't be afraid of making the "wrong" decision. Lots of people, including myself, change careers! It's perfectly okay! Sometimes you don't know if you like something until you try it. And, if you don't like something, it's okay to stop doing it.
Good luck with your assignment! Let me know if you have more questions.
I never had a single moment when I realized I wanted to be a firefighter. My father was a firefighter when he was young, and he used to tell me stories, so I always had an interest. Around the age of 14 or 15 I began looking into it more seriously, and began participating in a youth program put on by a local fire department. Although I really, really enjoyed it, I didn't think it paid well enough, I didn't want to stay in my hometown, and I wanted to do something "bigger", so instead of becoming a firefighter I joined the military.
I continued to serve as a volunteer Firefighter and EMT while I was in the military, and eventually I realized that there is more to life than money, the military wasn't as cool as I thought it would be, and I missed my family / home state. It was at that time, around age 25, that I realized what I really wanted to do was become a career firefighter.
It's awesome that you're thinking about this now! That said, don't feel pressured to make a decision soon, and don't be afraid of making the "wrong" decision. Lots of people, including myself, change careers! It's perfectly okay! Sometimes you don't know if you like something until you try it. And, if you don't like something, it's okay to stop doing it.
Good luck with your assignment! Let me know if you have more questions.