Grad Standout: 22-year-old worked full time as EMT while managing full course load

LONG BEACH, Calif. - He’s a Long Beach State grad with a Bachelor's degree in business management — but that’s not all Ian Parkinson has going for him.

The 22-year-old is a certified EMT who managed to work full time as a first responder while taking a full course load.  

Parkinson took 15 units in the fall and 12 units in the spring while working two 23-hour shifts a week. Sometimes it was one 48 hour shift a week.

Parkinson’s goal is to continue with fire science classes and eventually become a firefighter.  

Get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.

But first, he’s learning Spanish. And if his track record is any indication he should be fluent in no time!  

Parkinson scored high marks in the fire department’s written exam, physical agility test, and scored a 95 on his oral interview.  And he did all this while attending Long Beach State carrying a full load.

Congratulations Long Beach State grad Ian Parkinson on being featured on FOX 11’s Grad Standouts!