Has anyone

[mrmacwvu1]

tried to just start their life over. A little info on me and my family. My dad was a paramedic for his whole adult life. He worked his ass off so I would not have to. My brother and I always looked up to him. He was not only our father but our best friend. I was fortunate enough to go to college and then law school. I hated being an attorney. I worked on both sides and felt horrible every night and ever morning. I prosecuted people that should have never been and defended people that should never take another breath. I justified it for awhile saying that I took an oath and that was my duty.

 

My brother went the other route, he became a fireman. He has served his city for 15 years and loves waking up every day that he has to go to work. He works the busiest house and trains all of the new guys. He is well respected and has one the states fireman of the year award.

Five years ago I quit practicing law after one of my clients killed themselves even though I had convinced the Judge that he was no danger to himself or others. Since then I have been doing consulting jobs and flipping houses.

Now my brother wants me to go take the fire fighters test. This is my last year of eligibility. My brother asked me to come join him and start our own company on the side.

I am scared to death. I do not want to disappoint him or my late father.

I am going to be a 34 year old rookie.

Sorry for the rant guys, I just know that this is some of the best guys to talk to other than Raider.

[gardnerjigman]

You sound like a smart, determined individual. If you think you want to go the fire route, go for it. Dreams are never achieved sitting idle. Good luck man. 

 

GJM

[deaknh03]

34 is young my friend..go for it if it's what you want to do.

[lo n slo]

go for it

[fishinfiend]

go for it

 

[Hurricane]

Absolutely go for it...

[mrmacwvu1]

Oh I am.

I thank you guys for the support.

Here is a fun fact. For ten years my brother was the one that trained all of the rookies, so it will be the opposite of favoritism. Chances are I will have one of the roughest first years of any rookie to date.

[flyfisher]

go for it.  I am going to turn 40 this year and after 10+ years working as a process manager for a large bank, I started teaching and will be finishing up my first year in about 6 weeks.  

is it easy, hell no.  So i enjoy my "job" a lot more, hell yes!!!

[Bluebasser86]

Being in Law Enforcement, I never will understand how lawyers justify the job they do, especially in today's world with the justice system so screwed up.

I considered the fire route as well because of the strong urge to serve, but in the end I went the LEO route, it could have gone either way really though. 

Don't do it because someone is pressuring you into it, even if it is your brother. Do it because you want to do it and for the satisfaction of waking up and getting to go to a job that you don't hate. 

Serving others is a noble profession. Putting your life on the line every day, knowing it's a very real possibility that today might be the day, it's too much for a lot of people. This is going to sound dark, and it's hard for a lot of people to deal with because it touches a reality they don't like to think about, make a will and get life insurance to take care of your family if something does happen to you (I have extra benefits towards disability too in case I was injured to the point I couldn't work again). People are killed every day in fire and LE jobs (a detective was shot and killed in KC just today pursuing a suspect). A friend of mine was shot multiple times, once in the face by the guy as he stood over him and told him he'd never see his family again. He was just in the store to get a drink and something to eat on the way home in the middle of the night and just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. You'll see things at traffic accidents and in fires that nobody should ever have to see. I've seen them, it's not something that you ever get out of your head completely.

Sorry to be all "doom and gloom", but I see so many new guys that get torn apart by the mental abuse both lines of work can put you through. I figure it's better to know now so if it's something that can't be dealt with, you can pull the plug before having to go through it. A good friend of mine is a firefighter, we trade horror stories from the job, it kind of helps both of us to deal with some of the stuff. 

Good luck with your decision. Having the chance to do something like that with your brother sounds great. You'll make some of the best friends you could every have working a job like that. It's very rewarding when you get the chance to do something that truly does impact a persons life in a very real way. 

[Josh Smith]

I was right around your age when I stopped working in the medical field and opened a business doing what I enjoy.

If you want to, don't let age (or lack thereof; we're still young, Dude!) prevent you from doing it.

Josh

[Sam]

I know a number of people who are educated in the law but no longer practice.

Law can chew you up and spit you out.

As stated above, try the firefighter's occupation.

Just because you went to college and then law school does not mean you have to practice law. It means you are trainable.

And working for yourself and not some idiot or large company without any loyalty to you and your family is extremely rewarding. I started my own company back in 1989 and have been thankful that so far, it is successful. I get upset when I hear of layoffs and the automation installed to let people go so take charge and start your own company and enjoy the benefits.

Plus, you have more time to fish!!!!

Let us know what you do.

[Oregon Native]

Good luck to you....

[.ghoti.]

Outstanding post, Clayton.

[buzzed bait]

it's never starting over, just the next step....  if this is your next step, then best of luck to you sir!

[BrianinMD]

I did the whole starting over around the same age as you are now. With a separation/divorce going on I found out who my actual friends were. I walked away from everything, only a couple people and some family were around when I was done. Even changed jobs thanks to some downsizing. Changed hobbies, got back into fishing more, moved an hour away. Could not have worked about better, so much happier now. Now wonder how I put up with all I did for a few years.

Sometimes it takes walking away and starting over to find happiness. Good luck to you.

[Redlinerobert]

A commendable jump to an honorable occupation.  Go for it! 

[Senko lover]

10 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

Outstanding post, Clayton.

x2

[avidone1]

I admire your intergrity, about leaving the law, but I have to wonder about this firefighting thing.

It sounds to me that your doing it because your brother is doing and you don't want to disappoint.  Personally I think that is the wrong reason.  Perhaps firefighting is for you, perhaps not.  You are young, but building a career takes time.  Is this where your heart is telling you to go? Do you know what you really want but are afraid to pursue it, or unsure how to begin?

I would hate to see you go into another unfulfilling career path.  Take a deep breath, sleep on it. If you have a dream job then that's what you should try.   If not, or you just don't know, then by all means become a firefighter.  It is a highly valued and truly worthwhile occuapation 

 

[mrmacwvu1]

I guess I should clarify. I am looking forward to being a firefighter. I actually was a volunteer a long time ago and enjoyed it. I am looking forward more to being able to open up our business together. Being a firefighter will allow me the opportunity to have health insurance, state retirement, and a decent fall back salary.

As far as not disappointing my brother and father. I just want to be the best I can be.

The business that we will be doing is construction. We are both GC's. He has two young kids that I look forward to seeing more. In the last few years we have lost almost all of our family. This gives me the chance to spend time with my brother. Lord knows they don't make anymore of it.

My dream Job is to build. But as anyone who has ever done it knows that is up and down. The firefighter is security for myself and family.