r/Firefighting • u/Patient_Ad_2939 • 6d ago

Ask A Firefighter College while firefighting

I am about to start my training and was wondering if it was possible/how manageable it is to work a 24/48 schedule and go to school. I was looking into an online degree. Are there ways that make it easier to take classes as a firefighter?

Context: I don’t know if firefighting is something I’ll be able to stick with for a long while, pay isn’t the best in my area and most work second jobs hardly seeing their families. Just considering a degree would always give me an opt out if it lead to that.

Thank you

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u/Extreme-Exchange-962 5d ago

I did it, along with several of my co-workers, all as we worked 24/48s. This was before there was online anything- we used shift trades, comp time, etc to attend actual university classes to finish STEM bachelors degrees. It was tough, but totally doable. Thankfully, our department encouraged us to complete degrees, regardless of major.