Josh Hernandez
Advance
San Antonio, TX USA
"You can feel defeated but the best thing is to keep moving and try to stay on your feet. Get back up even when you’re knocked down."
Career Roadmap
Josh's work combines: Medicine, Science, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
You don't need any prerequisites before enrolling in an EMT program. Start by applying for the EMT program at the school you're interested in. You'll need to complete a certain amount of class hours across a variety of medical subjects, perform skills in class that the instructor will check off, and complete exams. Then you'll do 96 hours of clinical work. You have to be an EMT-Basic before becoming a paramedic. I recommend spending time working as an EMT-Basic before going to paramedic school.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic
Del Mar College
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas.
2.
After high school, I considered joining the military but changed course after being inspired by a passing ambulance—with violence increasing in the world, I wanted to make a difference and save lives.
3.
I went to Del Mar College in Corpus Christi for the EMT program but had to withdraw because I was struggling with the coursework.
4.
A year later, I went back to school and completed the EMT program but didn’t pass the physical or written exam.
5.
I was discouraged but took more classes, finally earned my EMT basic, and went on to paramedic school.
6.
I made it through to the end of the paramedic program and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
7.
I persevered through the pandemic, completed my coursework, passed all of my exams, and graduated as a paramedic.
8.
I’m now looking to continue gaining experience as a paramedic with goals of eventually going back to school to ultimately become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I have ADD, which made it a struggle for me to sit still and focus on my classwork in school. I had to teach myself to be disciplined, which included secluding myself while studying so that I could fully immerse myself into my studies.
I was homeschooled, so I struggled in the college environment and ended up withdrawing. When I went back, I made it through but failed the final exams. COVID-19 also hit while I was in school. I persevered and finally graduated as a paramedic.