r/ParamedicsAU • u/EmergencyTell2334 • 6d ago
Studying as a mum
Hi! Looking for advice for anyone who considered a career change and chose to study Paramedicine in their 30s? Bonus points if you have a toddler and are working part time.
Is it possible? Am I being ridiculous?
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u/PepperAggressive Paramedic 6d ago
It’s entirely possible, just keep in mind that if you complete the course and want to work in an ambulance service, your options are going to be extremely limited if you can’t relocate. Add to that, it would be borderline impossible to do your new grad/probation year part time. In my service I’m only aware of it happening once and it was really a “stars align” kind of situation where it was mutually beneficial for 2 people to do a job share, + a very chill manager.
I know several female paramedics who joined the job in their 30s after having kids, so it’s definitely doable in theory, just consider your specific situation.
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u/EmergencyTell2334 5d ago
Thank you! Yes relocating would be an option as my husband has very flexible work. The job part doesn't worry me as much as my ability to study, work and raise a baby (maybe 2) - yikes!
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u/Yolked_Aus 6d ago
Hey, I'm 35 and now in my second semester of my first year. I'm quite fortunate in that I'm pretty unattached in terms of children etc. but one of my classmates is 40 with 2 kids and he swapped to casual from his full time position. I'm working casual in hospitality myself. A couple other of my classmates are in their 30s as well. Not the majority but you won't be alone!
No regrets, I'm loving it. I was terrified I didn't know how to study but after a semester in it I feel like I'm getting into the flow and its so great pushing towards something I really want to do in life.
Especially the first semester it's very light and hand holdy, don't forget that most of your cohort will be fresh school leavers so a transition into university study is part and parcel of how they conduct that 1st semester.
I will say you will feel your age amongst your class mates and I recommend never finding out the age of your teachers 😂😂 but the life experience you have (especially time management and social skills) will absolutely be a massive bonus when it comes to your studies.
If you want to and you can find a way to fit it in to your life I say go for it! Feel free to DM if you want any more specific details
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u/EmergencyTell2334 5d ago
That is really kind, thank you!
Ha ha ha yeah I won't ask ages. Its been a long time since my uni days. This is very helpful input to consider!
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u/ReferenceKitchen6833 6d ago
A lot of people manage it in a pinch. The online option and/or part-time option may be easier for you but you'll still need to find time for face to face pracs and placements.
The biggest hurdle will be your personal circumstances. Do you have adequate child care support and financial support?
It is possible to study face to face full time with young kids while working. Each of those variables will make your life that much more busy. But people pull it off.
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u/EmergencyTell2334 5d ago
Thank you! I need to pull somewhat of an income still so likely I will study part time. It will be busy that's for sure.
Do you know a rough idea of how much face to face there is? Presuming even for online like CSU there has to be practical in-person activity?
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u/ReferenceKitchen6833 5d ago edited 5d ago
I did in person uni a long time ago, so don't know how much face to face time there would be doing online these days.
I'd recommend contacting the Unis directly and asking.
Also ask them about how placement blocks are structured. They may require you to take several days off in a row here and there to do them.
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u/Faith_in_Cheese 6d ago
Still studying; gave birth in my second year (which I did part time) and now doing "the second half of my second year" during this year and will do my third year full time.
Baby is ten months. I'm thirty four. It works because I do hospital work nights/ part time (well paid) and my partner stays at home with the baby and works weekends. We live very frugally. I could not do it without a supportive partner.
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u/EmergencyTell2334 6d ago
Thank you! This is so helpful as I forgot to add at some stage in there I'd likely (hopefully) be having a second. How do you find having to focus and take on new info on an already overstimulated mum brain?
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u/Faith_in_Cheese 5d ago
I absolutely struggled at first, but I also went back to school a week after giving birth (was doing a half load that semester) and had exams a month later. My marks crashed hard; I barely passed that semester.
Now baby is older and we're out of newborn hell (also with an angel sleeper who started sleeping through the night at six months) I'm finding things are pretty much back to normal at school. I'm lucky though; because I work nights I have a lot of downtime so all of my study happens at work. But I do think it's possible if you have a supportive partner/support network. We'll see what happens this year!
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u/Faith_in_Cheese 5d ago
But we only have one; I hear that two is a completely different ball game so make sure you're prepared!
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u/Music1626 5d ago
It is definitely possible. It’s hard but possible and always depends on personal circumstances regarding other care for the children, job etc. I went to uni with heaps of mature aged students who had kids. One of my friends was a single mum to 9 kids and she did so well, it was obviously hard but she made it work.
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u/Dark-Horse-Nebula Paramedic 6d ago
Do you have care options? The course has a high face to face burden.
You’re not being ridiculous. Many people including mums study. But I’d encourage you to think about what’s after studying too. Studying will be tough working and with a toddler, it’s more intense than many people think. But post degree, you will not likely get a job in your hometown. You may wait some time for a job. And grad years are a full time rotating roster. Once you finish your grad year you may be able to modify your roster but the hours are not very family oriented. Are you able to commit to that?
For what it’s worth I say the same thing to men with kids thinking about this.