Several friends do landscaping work on side but I am sure that can be highly competitive as well. One other one does small electrical work in spare time.

 

The electrical work sounds like a great idea, IMO. It seems to have a broader scope than something like welding, with more opportunity locally. - Does your friend like doing electrical?

I don't know if I'd handle landscaping well, but it's certainly a thought. Thanks for the info.

 

I don't have a part time job. I just love within my means. That said the possibilities are endless. Landscaping, retail, electrical

 

Loving above ones means is expensive.

Curt

 

I would suggest finding something that you like doing since this is going to be a second job. Maybe find some places that will let you ride along/shadow them for a day to see if it interests you.

 

HVAC - but here in Raleigh you have to get in line for the trade schools at community college due to demand.

 

Find something you enjoy that will have some extra perks.

I worked a second job several years at a driving range because I loved golf. I got discounts on gear, free range time (when I could squeeze it in between the jobs and family time). Plus the extra cash was good for us as a new family, which sounds like the same situation you're in.

Obviously working the counter at a driving range doesn't pay what an electrician or welder pays, but I think you're picking up what I'm putting down.

 

One thing that you need to ask yourself is what second job will mesh with the hours of your first job. Don't EMT's have odd shifts?

 

Look at Bass Pro or part-time gun store help. For me, as a general contractor, most of our work is either done in house by our full time employees or subbed (mainly the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, insulation....[work that is mainly low margin and labor intensive]).

 

I'm currently full-time retail management, but acquired my NC EMT-B cert this past December. I'm taking the national registry next month and am trying to get on with MEDIC here in Charlotte at the moment.

I'm trying to think ahead a bit and determine the best side job for myself. I'm willing to put forth the extra effort and go to trade school (welding, plumbing, electrical, etc.) if necessary. I'm thinking that may be my best option as it would allow me to run my own business if licensed.

I was curious what you guys in the field do, or if working OT is simply the best option.

I used to work part-time for our local EMS system. Great job, enjoyed it, worked with some damn good folks (one of whom is on staff here), however...

I was away from home far too often and after 6 years, I decided to stick with my full-time job and that's it.

I think your goal is noble (mom staying home with the kid), but I will offer you up this advice because I have seen this practice run rampant at the FD; don't put yourself in a position where you have to work part-time. Side gigs are a great way to supplement your income, but some folks will paint themselves in the proverbial corner and reach the point where working a second or third job is not "optional", but necessary, because they've grown dependent upon that income to maintain their lifestyle.

FWIW, I am considering going to my local community college for welding...not necessarily for a part-time job, but because it's another skill to add to the toolbox.

 

I couldn't of said it better.

 

I was a medic for many years. I worked part-time as a medic in other places, worked in bike shops, taught EMS classes for the local community college. Most my my FF buddies are landscpaers or contractor-type dudes/handyman. It will be very difficult for one to work EMS and support a family without PT supplementation. I went to nursing school, now support my wife and family on my income.

 

Neighbor here is a cop and does pressure washing as his side gig.

My uncle was a fireman for his whole career and painted as his side work.

Get your CDL and drive party buses. That's what I did here in Charlotte for 5 years.

 

 

I do computer networking, communications and security cabling aside from FD. which means I work two full time jobs.

 

Private sitter. Plenty of seniors looking for someone with medical skills.

 

Thanks for all the great replies!

I put in for a part-time position with the new JR Cigar in Mooresville. - Since I'm not hired on with MEDIC yet, I'll have to see how that all shakes out. My assessment is next month, so assuming I got on, there's no telling what the schedule would be like at the moment. Ideally, I'd like to work 4x 12hrs, but who knows. Being new, I'll take what I can get.

As for a trade, my main concern is time available for school. Doing it or paying for it isn't a problem, it's having the time for it right now.

As for living within our means, I think we could probably make it work with what I'm paid right now, but it wouldn't be fun. As I progress through the next few years, I feel we can transition the expenses and I wouldn't need a second job, although I would probably still do it.

My wife and I are mainly just focused on our daughters development. We want her Mom to be there for her. We see so many families choosing their small luxuries and cars over their children, and we don't want to be in that position.

 

My wife and I are mainly just focused on our daughters development. We want her Mom to be there for her. We see so many families choosing their small luxuries and cars over their children, and we don't want to be in that position.

Good man.

 

One other thing to note is that its REALLY easy to get burnt out riding the truck as a part time job. It seems like you are never away from the constant ringing of the bell. I used to work PT at my Vollie Dept and it seemed like I was always in the Fire station and never really got a good decompress from running calls. If / When I get a PT job again it won't have anything to do with riding the fire truck.

 

One other thing to note is that its REALLY easy to get burnt out riding the truck as a part time job. It seems like you are never away from the constant ringing of the bell. I used to work PT at my Vollie Dept and it seemed like I was always in the Fire station and never really got a good decompress from running calls. If / When I get a PT job again it won't have anything to do with riding the fire truck.

"Amen" to that.

I know guys who work for 1 or 2 other departments on their days off...more power to them.

I get enough of it in one 24 hour shift...for the next 48, I don't want to be anywhere near a station.

 

You want to make some side money...

Give this a read... Once you are done, let me know if you have any questions. I am almost 2 months in and am just shy of what I make at my 9 to 5 job as a Sr. IT Engineer...

http://www.amazon.com/Arbitrage-authoritative-guide-works-work/dp/1478251891/

 

Keep the job you have now and finish Paramedic school. EMTs are a dime a dozen and you won't make a living wage off an EMTs salary. You can live on a Paramedics salary. Alot of the Paramedics I know stay in the medical field for their part time work, some will hold a 911 job for their main job and pick up a couple of shifts with a transport company on their days off. Alot of hospitals, especially the larger Trauma centers use Paramedics in the ER, WE have alot of part timers who run 911 full time in the ER I work at.

 

I know people in the field that do the same. ALS transport pays fairly well but BLS transport starts at about $10/hour. The new push id to put medics in the ER because they have a similar skill set to a nurse but at half the cost. Either way if you can get your medic cert don't pass up the chance.

 

If they teach you how to do stitches you could use that skill stitching leather.

 

Will your Captain let you borrow the ladder truck for roofing jobs?

 

I know people in the field that do the same. ALS transport pays fairly well but BLS transport starts at about $10/hour. The new push id to put medics in the ER because they have a similar skill set to a nurse but at half the cost. Either way if you can get your medic cert don't pass up the chance.

I'm hoping I can within a reasonable time-frame, but my main goal at the moment is to bring in enough for my family. MEDIC actually pays fairly well compared to other EMS agencies, and I do have a 4yr degree which helps a bit too.

 

You can get your Paramedic in about a year, depending on where you take the classes. I don't really see where a 4yr degree will help at a Basic EMT job, unless you want to go up the food chain someday. But I'll tell you one thing, if you start this kind of work, and really like it, you will regret moving up the food chain. Being a medic is, what I consider, having a front row job in the greatest show on earth. But being an EMS supervisor or manager really sucks.
One of the guys I went to Medic school with works up there.
Medic does pay pretty good considering, but EMT-B pay still sucks.
Where I am working now, I'm in the $23.00hr range, they will use EMT-Bs as techs, which is a $9.50hr job. Big difference between EMT and Medic.

 

Pay is better when you hold a degree. Thats all I was referencing.

Id love to do it in a year, but everything Ive seen is two year. Ill have to look into that.

 

2yrs is usually an associates degree program, 6 semesters, some places offer the certificate program, which is 3 semesters. I know here in SC our local community college had it both ways. I don't know how the NC system is laid out, but here in SC we have regional EMS divisions/training facilities, they offer the classes too. PeeDee Regional EMS in Florence offers the Paramedic class, it is 11 months and costs $4875.00, they usually run it from Nov-Oct.