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Show Paramedic continued from page 6 continued from page 6 National Average Salary Comparison 11.800 - i SOKIEC-. U.S. Darean of Labor StMtlitln (1,600 - ' ' a Average Weekly Salary for Women var>q« W««kly 3«l»ry fqr M«n 11,200 - ' \ 1,000 - ^ Management occupations Computor & IS Managers Computer Sodal Workers Programmers Attorneys Occupation PoctSecondarv Toacharc Healthcare Practitioners Transportation & Material Houlnq occupation t "According to information in a report released in September 2004 by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly salary for women is rising but is still not comparable. The chart is based on a 2003 study, the most recent information available. I women. She attributes this to i differing perceptions of men's and < women's behavior. "Women are perceived as -chy, whereas men are just * aggressive," Wood said. Wood is still advancing her . studies and is preparing to close the salary gap. t "It isn't fair that men should nnake more than women; it should be balanced," Wood said. "Women need to work smarter, not harder." Wood lives by this philosophy, which is one reason why she is -.back in school after a back injury on the job. The WSU Department of Career Services may help guide the uncertain or undecided student to a career path. They can give coaching on career paths, provide assessments to help determine what areas of interest a career may be or what skills or values a student may have to point them in the right career direction. Winn Stanger, WSU Department of Career Services director, said his office talked to 2,500 freshmen this summer at orientation. Many students new r to WSU are undecided on a major, which provides many avenues of opportunity for students. "People need to find their passion first, and then the money comes," Stanger said. Wages are an important consideration when choosing a career. Students can explore entry-level wages for numerous occupations at the Utah Department of Workforce Services Web site. Just go to www.jobs.utah.gov for more information. You can leave a message for reporter Lori Kuczmanski by calling 626-7624. at WSU. WSU's nationally-accredited emergency care and rescue program provides paramedics for both Weber and Davis counties. Among the first in the nation to achieve accreditation, WSU has been training paramedics for the last 25 years. WSU is one of the few places in Utah where students can receive Emergency Medical Technician certificates. EMT programs are also offered at Davis Applied Technology College, Dixie College, Utah Valley State College and Unified Fire. Jamieson earned his EMT basic certificate from DATC in 1993 and was hired by Kaysville in 1995. He received his EMT Intermediate certificate in 2002 and is now a student at WSU working to become a certified paramedic. Training for paramedics is not only rigorous, it is expensive. For Jamieson, the financial aspect is not a problem. The South Davis Metro Fire Agency is sponsoring Jamieson, paying not only for his education but also his salary'. The agency considers his time at WSU as training. Many students involved in WSU's program are sponsored. But along with the sponsored students, an increasing number of private students, young and old, come to WSU to earn their certificates. Most students come into the WSU program with a lot of experience. That experience is very helpful but is not a must for those who enter. "We are seeing more students that don't have as much experience," said Jeff Grunow, WSU's chairman of emergency care and rescue. "I believe that lack of experience is not a deficit." Grunow hopes more students will express an interest in the program right out of high school. WSU's program prepares students for any career as an EMT, from the hospital emergency room to the paramedics and ambulance drivers in fire departments, private ambulance and air ambulance companies. Graduates receive a twoyear applied science degree in emergency care and rescue. Applicants must complete a series of prerequisites before they can enter the paramedic program. Classes in health sciences and medical terminology and one year as an EMT-Basic are required. The introductory courses focus on the fundamental skills required to work as an intermediate EMT. One skill is called intubation. The process requires the EMT to insert a tube into the patient's trachea, or windpipe, through the mouth or nose to assist in breathing. Memorization and mastery of many of the different drugs is a must. EMTs and paramedics must understand the substances they will handle and administer. Students must also take their introduction to advanced life support courses where they specifically learn things like pediatric and cardiac life support. After these courses students complete their clinical practice sessions, or a field internship. During these sessions they ride along under the supervision of certified EMTs and can use the skills they have learned. This entire process prepares students for the state test that, if passed, certifies students to work as paramedics in Utah. WSU also requires their students take the National Registry Test, which enables students to find employment outside Utah. One of the unique aspects of WSU's emergency care and rescue program is the distancelearning program. Every Tuesday and Thursday night a class is broadcast to Montezuma Creek and Vernal; Cody, Sheridan, and Rock Springs, Wyo.; Wendover, Nev.; and Walla Walla, Wash. Responders in these rural areas need the training, since medical assistance isn't readily available. Paramedics are generally the major source of medical help in these areas. Grunow said the curriculum in WSU's program is adapting to what people expect from health care. "Every call is the patient's first call," Grunow said. "Students have to be self-starters, self-leaders." Grunow wants his students to be ready for every call. He feels they need to be critical thinkers. He said students need to dn more than just get a passing grade. They need to be competent and ready for every situation. Thai is the central focus of WSU's Hmergcncy Care and Rescue program. In Utah, starting salaries are S12.000 to $24,000 for EMTs and $26,000 to $32,000 for paramedics. Jamieson just wants to be a paramedic. He said sometimes his shift is very quiet and sometimes he is on the go all the time. The paramedics are always there. You can leave a message for reporter Scott Shurtleffby calling 626-7624. con fin uedfrompage 6 coordinator for Weber State University's Services for Women Students. In addition to their inherent strengths, women can bring in a monetary worth based on their education and experience. When women realize their worth, they can identify skills that would be of value to an employer. Once they've scheduled an interview, there are several steps women should follow to ensure a successful end. There is homework that should be completed prior to any interview. Women need to research the organization, Merrill said. They should be aware of the company's goals and current affairs. Dress and appearance is a major key to a successful interview, said Pat Wheeler, WSU's School of Business and Economics career and employment advisor. The best clothing choice is a professionallooking, navy blue dress suit. Wheeler also recommends women pull their hair back. "You need to dress for the profession," Wheeler said. "The more professional you look, the more you will be taken seriously." to 4-' ,. ~ c OJ QJ 1 nj "§ £ - Q. cri ^ TJ <^ 7QJ7 4-* TO _ C QJ £ E3 • o3 ~ c -Q O VI 5 O £O J=i 03 C tud QJ --j iS) ^p OJ »- 3 I K |- vo o 1 H keep -act: did N «£ o aig c 3 c QJ ^ TO ^ ^ ~ <j Ol Ol J", 3 £ ITJ _Q U Q; _Q 92 TO VI Q 15 01 , ^ -C __ -C _g S S - "^ QJ Q_ (TJ > *° "ft ^o -1 oJ "O _c QJ Qj O 9 b ^ D. TO c to o to CO u P r* C T> 1 •• C 6 "D • C =3 QJ OJ - ^ - - S i _Q O QJ T5 O Q_ "O - ^ r~ O TO O m > FREE 3/8 Ct. DIAMOND ^H S-8 P IS-? OJ Q. Ol c -Q 1C Q. C ro -^ P O U "TO +* t Farr's Jewelry 2466 Washington Blvd. www.farrsjewelry.com s i PI 1 .i $ ^ I - ' SI U COMMUNICATIONS INC. I'm Hooked on finding Farr's "ROCK" See Clue #2 in the classified: O TO QJ ople w efore age 15 ore lil<ely to i ende nee (ale ionly known in theise whc eATO D(Alcol t- c <TJ O O l ^~ Students in the WSU paramedic program work on a dummy together to learn how to help patients in dire situations. Graduates earn a two-year associate of science degree and can qualify to work in Utah or other states. •1 TherS adapt lems) king t JJ TO - Q You can leave a message for reporter Andrea Bean by calling 626-7624. Farr's Jewelry "FIND the ROCK" contest <D TO £ tJ £ 2 I§ u H H Walk in to the interview with confidence. Women need to shake the interviewer's hand firmly, make eye contact and answer the questions with conviction. Too often, they apologize in their answers. "It's your whole persona," Wheeler said. "We need to hold our heads high and present ourselves in a competent manner." Merrill advises women to "bargain" for a higher salary during a job interview. They should have a fair wage in mind based on their skills, education and experience. "She has to be prepared to explain why her skills are valuable to that employer," Merrill said. While negotiating, women need to pay attention to body language. They often place their arms on the desk or intertwine theirfingersand could come across as too eager, Merrill said. Men are usually more relaxed, sitting back in their chair and resting their elbows on the armrests while "bargaining" for a salary. Women need to develop professional resumes. Wheeler recommends women identify their transferable skills and include them. Transferable skills are those that women learn at home that apply in the workforce. If a woman has been the Parent Teacher Association president, she should include that on her resume as leadership skills. Other transferable skills include organization, time management and teamwork. Wheeler suggests that students find a mentor who can guide them and help them obtain a rewarding career. $1400 retail Value -Q Q o~ u H TO - ^ Jr Ol 4- £ 2 "J rugs) z1 visory outsu *•< QJ g .-g »- ersoi igpa than 15 a rinki ardh 5 est 03 18 S o ID Q. 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