Alexandra Strout is in the top of her class at Sacramento State’s Paramedic Program and credits the strength of her instructors. “They’re in the field as firefighters and paramedics, and they’ve been there and done the work. It makes a difference in the knowledge they provide you. It’s one of the strong points of the program.”

With a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and psychology under her belt, Alexandra envisions the day when she becomes a physician’s assistant. But first, she wants a career as a paramedic. “I think it comes down to a desire to help others. People don’t call you on their best day, but their worst day when everything is crashing down. I want to be there when they don’t have anyone else.”