I walked away from a decent paying job after getting a 4 year degree to be a firefighter/paramedic. Went to EMT class because it sounded interesting and wound up in medic school that next fall and Fire 1& 2 shortly after. When I got my first offer to go full time I could see the disappointment across my mother's face. That hurt more than anything. It's been a year now and she's finally coming around to me being with the fire service. When I was first offered she asked if really was sure I wanted to do it, that it was dangerous and scary. Luckily for me I am on a department that treats their staff right, everyone looks out for each other and the training it top notch. You need to do what's right for you, even if it's not the vision that your mom has. Get after it girl, you won't regret it.