A new direction
I’ve always wanted to help people. Sometimes I think my ego has gotten in the way of that a little bit. When I first declared journalism as a life goal, I convinced myself pretty easily it was a job that helped people as much as any other. I would be a government watchdog, protecting scores of people from any abuses of their governments. While a noble undertaking, I am starting to realize that the idea of this doesn’t quite satisfy the hunger for service inside me. And while seeing a byline (or two… or three…) on the front page of a newspaper every week has definitely been satisfying my ego, even I’m not fame-hungry enough to face a career of mediocrity and diluted service to big media like journalism professionals keep promising me.
There’s always been another option that I’ve been holding in my pocket as a backup plan, though. A few days after I graduated high school, I fell in love with another job and have been struggling with saying “no” to it ever since. Firefighting is exciting, helps people in the direct way I’ve always wanted and satisfies my ego almost as well. While my experience is in wildland fire and I would almost surely prefer a career as a structure firefighter, I am beginning to feel more like this is the path I was meant for every day.
Over the past weekend, I spent Thanksgiving with my family, both immediate and extended neither of which sees much of me since I left home. While talking to them about my career conundrum, my mom butted into the conversation to tell an aunt something that has been stuck in my head since: “His face just lights up when he talks about firefighting, but he gets this pained look when he talks about the newspaper.”
She’s right, but I’ve been telling myself firefighting was just a college kid’s summer job, albeit a good one, since the day I applied for it. I know I’m wrong. I know that as much as I enjoy writing, journalism is not where I belong.
That is why I’ve decided (and I’m only 20-years-old, so anyone who doesn’t expect this to change again is probably crazy) to begin working toward a paramedic’s certificate in preparation for a career in emergency services. I am still going to work toward a bachelor’s degree at UNR, probably even in journalism, but I’ll start looking at classes that can transfer to the paramedic program at TMCC for either after I graduate or part-time if that’s an option.
I don’t know if this is the right decision. I don’t know if I’ll turn around and come back to reporting. But I know that for right now, I’m happier with this decision than I have been the past two years with journalism. I suppose it’s just a good thing I found out now.
Well there’s that…
Wow, Jay. You're such a good journalist it makes me sad to read this...and yet, yet...I also believe you have to follow your heart. Your Mom's observation sounds very wise. The great thing about journalism is you can always do it from anywhere in many ways. In fact, these days it's easier to combine with something else than ever before. So follow your passion and I bet writing will remain in there somewhere. These days lots of us have serial careers, so there's no telling where you will end up. The important thing is to appreciate where you are now and take full advantage of that.
ReplyDeleteJay, sometimes you just have to follow your heart and if that comment that your mom made is any reflection of the things that are going on inside your head, you'd be crazy not to take that route. You're a great Journalist, by God... your stories are the only ones I actually read; but in all honesty I think this quote fits best:
ReplyDelete“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I'd just been myself.”
Don't be afraid to do what you love in the face of security for what you're already doing Jay.
Thank you both. And Jesus, I think the last paragraph of your comment is pretty much exactly what I've been thinking.
ReplyDeleteJay,
ReplyDeleteI don't know you very well, though we've met, spoken, and affected each others lives lately.
I can offer some advice, though. The prospects for your desired career path in the current climate are, quite frankly, dismal. Local and regional governments are cutting everything, including public safety.
In the best of times it is very difficult to get on (3,400 candidates for 19 positions on a recent local test, for example), & next to impossible right now. Don't ditch your back up plan, you're a very good journalist.
That being said, I would tell you to absolutely pursue it, and your initial plan is a good one. Add to it practicing test taking and interview skills until you can't do it anymore, then practice some more. You have to be in the top 0.5% to even GET an interview these days. Then don't give up. There are firefighters that tested over 60 times over 10 years before being hired. Be prepared for the all too likely reality you may never get hired. Then never give up trying. It absolutely is worth it.
I have no idea whether you'd actually be worth a shit as a firefighter or not. There are a lot of qualities you need, maybe you'd make the grade, maybe not.
But I will say this: I know that you have intelligence, integrity and courage; which are three MUST haves, so you are at least part of the way there. Should you manage to sort out the rest and be lucky enough to get hired on my department, I'd be happy to have you serve on my crew.
Best of luck....