Following nearly eight years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Daniel Noel was working as a diesel mechanic, while also staying active as a Reservist and volunteer EMT. But he soon grew weary of working third shift on trucks night after night. He loved the time he spent volunteering with the rescue squad and decided to pursue formal training and make a career of it. After looking into the emergency medical technology – paramedic program at ANU, he discovered that with the military-friendly benefits, such as ANU’s exclusive Blue Ribbon Grant, and the smaller class sizes, it was the right fit for him.
Daniel completed the paramedic program at the $$Roanoke Valley Campus in November and will be walking across the stage to receive his associate’s degree this month. He has been hired at Roanoke County Fire and EMS, where he now gets to do the work he loves every day. “I enjoy helping people and giving back to the community,” Daniel explained. “And after being a Marine and an EMT, I’ve discovered I also like the adrenaline rush.”
[img]The classroom instruction combined with the hands-on nature of the program helped Daniel feel well-prepared for a career as a paramedic. “With the requirements ANU has and the general knowledge base they give you and the way they teach, I felt very comfortable going into my field,” he says.
He particularly appreciated that many of his ANU instructors were also working paramedics, who were able to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. “All of the faculty and the paramedics who taught our classes were phenomenal,” Daniel emphatically stated. “All the time and effort they put into it, and even the extra time outside of the classroom that they put in to help the class out, and me individually, is pretty much what got me through the program.” He is also appreciative of the hands-on experience and encouragement gained through his externship with Salem Fire and EMS.
Daniel is looking forward to a long career as a paramedic and hopes to be a Lieutenant within the next five years. He advises anyone considering enrolling in the paramedic program to take the leap. “It’s tough and you have to put in a lot of long hours and time and effort,” he explained. “But it’s definitely worth it in the end.”
A-Former Marine and diesel mechanic, Daniel Noel is now a paramedic with the Roanoke County Fire and EMS.
B-Dan Noel and Kelly Waskewicz completed the EMT-Paramedic program at the $$Roanoke Valley Campus.
