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David D.
climber
Pacific Grove, CA
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NOLS/WMI left the Bug high and dry? I always thought NOLS was a fairly respectable institution but it does looks like NOLS is moving their classes to the Mt. Shasta area. What went down?
http://www.nols.edu/portal/wmi/courses/
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Jimbo14
Social climber
Near Here?
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 30, 2012 - 12:31am PT
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I am betting that it was all about the MONEY. Rumor has it that NOLS has no problem charging LOTS for classes, paying their staff little (like $ 120/day), and not really caring about the student experience. I would bet that the college in Shasta offered them a cheaper rate but NOLS increased their "Course Costs".
I hope that the Bug can stay afloat. They have had a few BAD years. I think the only thing they have avoided are the Locus and plague. They have survived, Fire, Flood, Rock Slides, and the economic crisis.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Apr 30, 2012 - 01:23am PT
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This thread has a tone highly suggestive of a begrudged WMI employee, student, a Remote Medical employee, or some other kind of agenda.
'Jimbo14'....all of two posts to your history....
Prove this isn't a troll.
Edit: I've added this reply at 1 pm 4/30 so as not to bump this thread. I'm still not convinced.
"I am thinking this year is the year I get to finally take my WEMT class. I can not wait. Join me??"
Dude, that kind of language is really suspicious- it clearly sounds like someone with a vested interest in promoting that class, &/or ripping on WMI.
Add to that the fact your avatar has a total of 3 posts...and appears to have been created specifically for this thread....still smells fishy.
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lumineferusother
Trad climber
Great Falls, VA
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Apr 30, 2012 - 09:24am PT
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Instead of simply refreshing my EMT I took the 20-day WEMT and EMT program there in April of 2008. That was definitely a phenominal program! I came into the program with 6 years experience as a career and volunteer EMT and firefighter between county, over seas contract, and NPS departments and I still walked away with a lot of skills and knowledge that I still put to use to this day. The Bug was awesome, the WMI staff was awesome, and the experience was second to none. If you feel that NOLS/WMI doesn't care about their students then you were probably one of the jackasses that got put in their place during class because you were f*#king around and not taking it serious. I will admit 20 days is an INTENSIVE EMT program...especially with WEMT thrown into the mix. But they definitely help you prepare for the National Registry exam and the class exam. That's a shame they won't be hosting at the Bug any more. I had a lot of good memories there (including bringing back some of the Mariposan talent after some long nights spent in town..). And you can't beat being right next door to Yosemite!
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Jimbo14
Social climber
Near Here?
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 30, 2012 - 12:42pm PT
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Apogee, I am non of the above. Sorry I come across that way.
Others, I have not taken my WEMT class yet,(See first post), but I have taken a WFR from WMI. I have nothing bad to say about the instructors of the WFR class. In fact, they were AMAZING.
My comments were based on how NOLS left The Bug Hostel high and dry with very short notice coming into The Bug Hostels busy session. The owners of the Bug have weather a lot of "issues" in recent years. As I said, I hope they can keep the doors open in the slow session.
My other comments were based on how NOLS treat their staff. I have a number of friends that teach and have taught for them. Low pay for long hours. The staff are excellent and should be paid based on that excellence. As one of my friends says, I LOVE what I do and where I get to go, but I can not pay my bills with "views and experiences". Just wish people were paid what they deserve.
In regards to why take the WEMT instead of a EMT class and then a upgrade class. I do not have the time to take a semester long college class and then another week or two for the WFR. I have also heard that the intense month long class is better for some people. I am trying to get the money to make it work out for this summer.
Sorry if I "offended" anyone or sounded like a troll. Not my intention.
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lumineferusother
Trad climber
Great Falls, VA
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Apr 30, 2012 - 02:13pm PT
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No worries man, sorry for being reactive. I have always had an interest in working part-time for WMI. It seems like a good part-time job but you're right in that it'd probably be pretty hard for someone to support themselves working for WMI full-time. That should say something, however, for the quality of instruction provided versus the shitty pay. That shows how passionate their instructors are. When I first took my EMT I did it through where I volunteered and spent 4 months dedicating a couple weeknights and a full weekend day to class. That's a pretty big committment. I can't reccomend enough their 20-day program if people can afford it (I managed to snag a scholarship).
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giegs
climber
Tardistan
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Apr 30, 2012 - 03:02pm PT
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If you're looking to teach as an part time income source you're much better off getting yourself certified through ASHI or similar so you can freelance. Takes a bit of legwork and expense to get yourself set up but it's not that difficult. Work with local organizations that regularly need certifications, cut them a deal, easy. As long as you can get a handful of people in every class you're set.
Not sucking at teaching is the hard part. You won't have the support network of the larger training organizations so the quality of your classes is going to be entirely on you.
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| Messages 1 - 8 of total 8 in this topic |
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