Carpé Diem? by Christina

Carpé Diem? by Christina - March 2020 Scholarship Essay

I envy those who can walk this earth and maintain a constant “Seize the day!” outlook. This wild roller coaster ride called life does allow me to enjoy those special spontaneous moments, but I also have to keep a realistic outlook and prepare for my future as well as my sons future. I am blessed to already have a career as a firefighter in my home town of St. Petersburg, FL. Having the ability to protect lives and property in the city where I grew up is an absolute pleasure that I could never express fully in words. The only thing I could compare it to is watching my son grow up into the young man he is today. As a single Mother I know first hand how fast life can change dramatically without warning. I would love to believe that I will work a long career as a fire fighter and have the ability to retire with 20+ years serving my community. I also have a passion to teach the next generation of EMT’s and firefighters who may someday fill my boots when I do retire. Can I truly predict where my path will lead me in 10 years? That is definitely a question worth exploring.

My job in the fire service is always changing and evolving. There is no shift that is like another. I have been with St. Petersburg Fire Rescue for over 7 years now, and can honestly say I wake up every morning for shift and never feel like I am going to “work.” I am simply going to my second home to spend 24 hours with my second family. In the time I have been with the department I have become an engine and aerial truck driver operator, and my latest opportunity to take my first promotional exam placed me on the acting lieutenants list. Taking the steps towards a leadership role at the department comes with great responsibility. I am grateful to have an amazing crew and support from all of my peers and administration within the department. As I prepare for this step one of the achievements I must obtain is a bachelors degree. Currently I have an associates degree and have been accepted into St. Petersburg College’s Public Safety Administration Bachelors program. I will continue to aim high within my department but I also have to keep in mind the reality that an injury or illness could cut my career short unexpectedly at any moment. Which is another reason why obtaining this degree would help pave the way to another passion of mine that could also be a post-retirement plan or backup plan if something tragic were to cut my career short.

Teaching those who could one day fill my boots as a firefighter/EMT is an extraordinary opportunity. I currently work part time as an adjunct instructor in the EMS program at St. Petersburg College. It fills my heart to think that I am able to take part in shaping these students futures in EMS and fire. The staff at the college takes the learning environment seriously and to be one of their colleagues is an honor I hope to maintain for years to come. However, in order for me to be taken on as a full time instructor which would give me the opportunity to lead lectures as well as labs, I must obtain a bachelors degree. I would love to achieve this by adding as little as possible to my already steep student loan debt.

One factor of life I can control is being a good role model for my teenage son. He has witnessed first hand the struggles of working full time, constantly trying to continue my education, while also paying off the debts from my achievements. He works very hard at his academics with the hopes of graduating high school with an associates degree to avoid his own burden of student loans. The more I am able to achieve in my career as a firefighter and ems instructor, the more financially fit I will be with the hopes of handling any college fees he will face while also reaching my own financial wellness.

So can I honestly say what my 10 year career plan is? Not 100 percent. However I cannot turn a blind eye to the future and live in a fantasy land of “carpe diem.” All I can do is make a plan A, plan B, plan C and so on with the hopes of ending up on the path of happiness and success.