When high schooler Jeydan Lopez decided to take college classes his junior year, he was looking for a challenge. He didn’t know it would shape his future or lead him to serve his community as an emergency medical technician.
“I guess I just really wanted to challenge myself and, I mean, at the time I was also taking AP courses as well. But I've just felt like I could get more out of my time in high school by challenging myself further through actual college courses.”
Through Anne Arundel Community College’s Early College Access Program, Lopez could have focused on general education courses that transfer to four-year colleges. He also could have started early coursework connected to his planned major in computer science. Instead, he chose to follow his curiosity and try something new. That choice introduced him to emergency medical services.
“Actually, it was the ECAP courses themselves that I was taking that influenced my decision to become a volunteer,” he said. EMT-104, an emergency medical responder course, piqued his interest. “I think that course definitely cemented the whole altruistic part of myself, helping people and giving back to my community."
Today, less than two years later and within weeks of graduating Severn Run High, Lopez is a certified emergency medical technician with the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company while working part time with ProCare Ambulance of Maryland.
What’s next? His EMS studies are important, but technology is where Lopez envisions ultimate his career. “I love computers. I like learning how they work. I’ve built them since I was a kid so it’s definitely a field I do want to get into.”
Lopez’s advice to others is to align ECAP courses with interests. “I wouldn't say that you have to take a specific course or you have to do a specific pathway, but you should do what makes you happy, what makes you feel passionate about something or just explore different things.”
If you’re unsure about your next step, AACPS and AACC advisors are here to help.
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