![James Cassidy]( "James Cassidy")
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (January 28, 2021) — Undecided on what he wanted to study in college, James Cassidy of Holliston, MA came to MassBay to discover his interests and find a career path. “My brother studied automotive technology at MassBay and had a good experience, so I thought it would be a great starting point for me. I began by studying mechanical engineering, but changed course to business management instead. I enjoyed my classes, but once I earned my certificate, I realized I didn’t want a desk job. I wanted to work as a firefighter.”
James’ interest in becoming a first-responder was “sparked” after several friends joined local firehouses. “I knew that training as an EMT and paramedic would provide me with a great foundational skillset. I joined the MassBay paramedicine program in January 2020, right before the pandemic started and haven’t looked back.” James was one of seven new firefighters recently hired by the Wellesley Fire Department.
James has worked for a year and a half as an EMT for Cataldo Ambulance Service out of Malden, MA and continues to fulfill his required paramedicine clinical hours by working at North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA. “It’s been a wild few months, but my classes, clinical placement, and EMT position, especially during COVID, has prepared me for anything I might encounter. I know my training will absolutely come in handy when I become a firefighter. I have been able to observe and learn from emergency calls ranging from cardiac arrests to babies being delivered. Working in communities like Somerville, Malden, Chelsea, Revere, and Everett has given me a lot of experience as a first-responder, and I will take all of that with me to the firefighter academy.”
In May 2021, James will attend the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and join the Wellesley Fire Department. After receiving a certificate in business management from MassBay in 2018, James is on track to earn his paramedicine certificate in May 2021.
“I am grateful and excited to join the Wellesley Fire Department as a full-time firefighter,” said James. “I enjoy the hard work, the critical thinking, and helping people. I also like knowing that every day will be different with unique challenges for each call. I really can’t imagine doing anything else.”
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.