It's interesting how your experience formed your path.

When my son began his health sciences career academy high school, is plan was to work towards becoming an MD in emergency medicine. That would have meant pre-med, medical school, internship, residency, and fellowship before he was fully qualified and certified. And, it would have mountains of student debt.

Now, he's an EMT apprentice and will be training for his paramedic certification, paid for by the county EMS with whom he's apprenticing; and they'll structure his work hours around the course study. He's thinking now that he will pursuing full paramedicine degree, instead of an MD – which his new employer (the county EMS) will also cover as "continuing education" while he continues to work for them.