Oliver Cole

Have you always wanted to be a paramedic?

Yes, I wanted a job that involved helping people and to make a difference. My mother was a care support worker and told lovely stories of the care and compassion she saw in her job. This was such an inspiration and influenced my decision to pursue a career as a paramedic.

Why Teesside?

At the open day I was struck by the positivity of the lecturers and how they took the time to find out about me. They valued both my academic and transferable skills, such as being able to engage and communicate with people, which is a key skill for the profession.

Placements?

The course included a range of placements, and now I’m working in the profession I really value how they prepared me for what to expect in the role and how to be a better clinician.

Where are you working now?

I work for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and volunteered to start early to support the national effort during the pandemic. Seeing the pressure the NHS was under made this decision an easy one, and although it was daunting at first, I felt honoured to be able to support those who needed my help. This is why I chose to go into the profession and am proud to have played my part.

Would you recommend Teesside University?

Yes, I have been working in the trust for over a year now and can't believe how much I have developed, both clinically and out in practice. I was provided with so many opportunities and I hope to be able pass this on by mentoring Teesside University students in the future. Myself and colleagues in the profession always speak highly of the University.