After more than 20 years in IT, Simon Bendall made the bold leap to chase a lifelong dream - swapping keyboards for sirens to become a paramedic.
Last week, he took to the road for his first shift as a graduate Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedic.
"It was a huge career change and a big gamble, but my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner," Simon said.
"I'm really proud of my achievements."
Simon was drawn to a career in paramedicine after growing up loving the American television show Emergency! - a medical drama about paramedics in Los Angeles - but he talked himself out of studying a paramedicine degree.
"I have dyslexia and I was my own worst enemy at that time because I thought I wasn't smart enough to do it," Simon said.
"I ended up working in IT, in project management, both locally and around the globe. It was exciting, but I was ready for a change.
"In 2018, both my parents passed away within 18 months of each other and I thought life is too short."
Over the past seven years, Simon has been building towards becoming a paramedic, gaining qualifications and starting work in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) and as an Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) in Mirboo North.
The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when he was successful in obtaining a study scholarship through AV's Pathway to Paramedicine, which supports AV first responders to make the transition to qualified paramedic.
Simon is part of the newest group of recruits joining AV and begins his paramedic career at AV's Korumburra branch in Gippsland.
"It will be an adjustment changing from the ACO scope of practice to the graduate paramedic scope, but I know I am very well-supported and have a good team behind me to start on the road with success," Simon said.
He said he has already received plenty of support from colleagues and mentors while an ACO and during his studies, as well as from his family.
"My advice to anyone thinking about a career change would be to have faith in yourself, trust your instincts and do it."
