Kyle Riley wasted little time returning to Texas State Technical College.

In May, the Zephyr native graduated with a certificate in Emergency Medical Services – EMT and one month later was working for Lifeguard Ambulance in Brownwood. This fall, he joined fellow emergency medical technicians  in the region to begin the Paramedic program in Brownwood.

“I am very fortunate that I graduated and was able to get a job,” he said. “They do not tell you how competitive the first responder field can be.”

Riley did not think a career as a first responder was for him, at first.

“I always knew that I wanted to take care of people, so I thought about becoming an LVN (licensed vocational nurse),” he said. “Then my sister talked to me about becoming a paramedic.”

He enrolled in TSTC’s program and immediately found his calling, according to Miranda Hicks, one of his instructors.

“He loves learning all about this field,” Hicks said. “He likes to get ahead so he can help his classmates. He cares for everyone in the class and wants them to succeed.”

That attitude has carried over from his time in the EMT program. Riley received the Emergency Medical Services’ program award for excellence and integrity earlier this year. “It was a huge shock,” he said. “I was humbled because there were a lot of great people in that class.”

Riley is working with his current classmates, who he already considers friends.

“It is very relaxing in class. We all get along well,” he said. “I like that if I have a question about something, I have someone to ask. We all feel that way.”

The class recently worked on a ventilation diagram in which they drew the body freehand and colored it. Riley and his classmates walked between teams to see what the others were doing.

“We want to see each other succeed so we are going to be the support system in class,” he said.

Riley said it helps that Hicks brings a positive energy to the lab each week.

“She will be there fighting for us to finish,” he said. “She cares deeply and wants to see where we go after graduation.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.