Izzy Foster: College student and EMT

Izzy Foster works hard to balance being a college student and an EMT. Photo courtesy of Izzy Foster

Isabelle (Izzy) Foster is majoring in health sciences at Lasell. After she started her college career in Connecticut studying paramedicine, she took a gap year and returned to Massachusetts. Izzy completed her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training getting her license and is currently working at a private ambulance service. 

“The gap year ended very quickly, and I decided that I did not want to stop working in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) but finishing school is a big priority to me as well. I had to make the tough decision to balance two major priorities in my life.  It's very hard balancing both work life and school, but it is doable,” said Foster on deciding to complete her college education.

Izzy has to balance the workload of a part-time college student and working as an EMT. Planning and time management play a big role in how she manages it all. All-nighters and doing assignments before having long shifts. Izzy brings her backpack and school materials for when and if they have some downtime during a shift. 

There are of course some challenges that come with working in EMS, from overwork to mental health and trauma. Izzy contends with all of these things on top of schooling but this work is fulfilling. 

“The biggest challenges are the emotional aspects of really hard calls, and witnessing people traumatized. I have to remind myself that I am here to help them, and I get to do everything in my scope of practice to help them. Also, having to compartmentalize homework and work is very difficult, because while I am at work, I can't mix personal emotions/life with this line of work,” said Foster 

“People are always at their worst when they need to get an ambulance, even if you can make them smile, it makes their whole day. I get to lay my head down at night knowing that I did everything I can today to help everyone who needed help. Personally, there was nothing better than knowing that I have brought someone back to life in a cardiac arrest. That was the most fulfilling day in my life, I have ever lived,” said Foster.

This path though it is not for everyone it is a rewarding one. Though not one without its challenges from working long and hard hours, to balancing school, life, and work. Izzy Foster does it and says it is worth it if you can handle it. 

“You need to be able to think quickly in times of stress and have compassion. You have to be okay with the gruesomeness, you have to have emotional stability, and you have to always hope for the best and expect the worst. I think anyone who is interested and thinks they can take on this job, it is one of the best things I've done in my life.”