We spoke to two of our Level 3 Health and Social care students who are training to be future paramedics. River Hopkins and Sky–Lousie Campbell talk about how their work experience has led to a part-time job, and It also allows them to gain essential industry experience which will boost their UCAS points.
They are both now set on their dream jobs to become paramedics and hope to study further at University after they finish college.
When did you decide that you wanted to be a paramedic?
Sky-Louise – I wanted to be in the military as a medic but I couldn’t get In so I thought I would train to be a paramedic.
River – I wanted to do something that helped people. At the end of secondary I wanted to be a fireman, I was signed up for public services but I don’t know, something clicked and I decided I wanted to be a paramedic. I got told Health and Social Care is the best route to go down.
Why did you decide to apply for work experience?
River – You need to get a placement as part of the Health and Social Care course. It was really hard through covid trying to get something, when the paramedic opportunity came up, I applied, went for an interview and got the position.
Sky-Louise – I had the same experience as River, but it was this year instead of last year and then we ended up both working together this year.
River – It is great to have that experience there to boost your UCAS points on top of the qualification and something to talk about in interviews
Did you get training? What did you do on the placement?
River and Sky-Louise – They train you up first for a full 5 days. It was paramedic technician training, so basic first aid and lots of detail on what to expect and assess the situation.
River – It’s a bit of everything really, football games, raves where you don’t get home until 5 am. Sky did a 15-hour shift last week. It’s great fun though.
We worked on a big marathon together, everyone was along the track in case anything went wrong.
What did you enjoy the most about the experience?
River – I did a rave a few months ago, I prefer to do them because it’s a lot more experience, a lot more things happen, and you are up and about doing something all the time. Whereas at football games, normally you just sit there and wait.
Sky-Louise – I prefer night shifts too, like parties etc. You’re not just sitting there not doing anything.
Are you going to carry on doing the work experience placement?
River – I got told I could stay as long as I liked. We both now have a paid job that we fit around college.
What’s next after you finish your course?
River – We are both doing the level 4 course next year. Straight after college, we both want to go to university and do paramedic science and then carry on with our jobs as paramedic technicians at the weekends.
Do you have to do a university course to become a paramedic?
Sky-Louise – There are other ways around it but university is the easiest most direct route.
River – The hardest thing is that universities ask for really high grades and UCAS points but this experience will go towards that.
Sky-Louise and River are both clearly passionate about their career paths and we are proud that our Health and Social care tutors are pushing work experience and value the importance of this for our student’s progression.