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| Stephen Condon left his marketing career to become an EMT at 61. Courtesy of Stephen Condon |
At 61 years old, most people in high-paying corporate careers are thinking about winding down toward retirement. But for Stephen Condon, a California-based former marketing executive who once earned more than $200,000 a year, it was the perfect time to start over.
Today, he’s a full-time emergency medical technician (EMT), a role he believes will remain human-driven no matter how advanced artificial intelligence becomes. And even though it pays a fraction of his old salary, he says the work is more rewarding, more active, and far more satisfying than anything he did during his 40-year marketing career.
“I could retire, but that didn’t feel satisfying. I needed something that got me out in the community, something personally rewarding,” Condon said.
A Career at the Top — but Losing Its Spark
For decades, Condon climbed the corporate ladder with clear goals in mind. He wanted to be a vice president of marketing at a public company — and by his 40s, he had achieved that milestone twice. But after reaching that pinnacle, he realized he didn’t have a next step in mind.
His career shifted from consumer marketing into the more complex and competitive world of B2B tech marketing — a transition he says was challenging and never felt completely comfortable. Over the past 15 years, many of his roles were short-term and remote. The isolation of working from home only amplified his feeling that something was missing.
“The jobs paid very well, but I wasn’t satisfied anymore. I felt like I was languishing without a clear objective,” he recalled.
Why Emergency Medicine Felt Like the Right Pivot
When he finally decided to make a change, Condon knew he didn’t want to spend years earning another degree or sinking money into an expensive master’s program. Instead, he started narrowing down options based on one key criterion: the job had to get him out into the community, working face-to-face with people in a way that felt meaningful.
Becoming an EMT checked every box.
It required just a 10-week training course followed by a national exam — a manageable commitment compared to other career shifts. More importantly, it was work that couldn’t be automated.
“It’s something I can still do after I turn 65, and it’s a career AI isn’t going to replace,” he said.
Training Beside People 40 Years Younger
Condon embraced the change fully, enrolling in afternoon EMT classes alongside a group of 20-year-olds. Far from feeling out of place, he enjoyed the experience — and didn’t miss a single class.
He admired his younger classmates’ commitment and compassion, especially given the modest starting pay.
“They go above and beyond to make patients comfortable, even though we’re earning $18.25 an hour,” he said.
After passing his exam, Condon applied for ambulance positions. His second interview landed him the role he wanted — working directly on an ambulance crew.
The Physical Demands Have Improved His Health
Six months into the job, Condon says his overall health has improved dramatically. His work schedule — four nights a week, often returning home around 9 or 10 p.m. — has replaced his old weeknight drinking habits with earlier bedtimes and more physical activity.
He now swims in the ocean or pool a couple of times a week, completes a daily 22-minute workout, and has gained strength from repeatedly lifting heavy gurneys — sometimes over 300 pounds — into ambulances multiple times per shift.
The work itself is unpredictable and varied. A typical eight-hour shift includes about four calls, ranging from routine facility transfers to urgent medical responses where every second counts.
“It’s always different, so it’s never boring,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a two-hour drive that feels like 20 minutes because you’re chatting with a 20-year-old partner about life. Other times, it’s a 10-minute window to get a patient safely to the hospital in an emergency.”
Looking Ahead: Benefits and Retirement Planning
Condon’s wife currently works full-time, covering their household benefits and many expenses. But she plans to retire in the next year, and when that happens, he wants to make sure his job can provide strong healthcare coverage.
His next move may be to transition into a hospital role as an emergency department technician — a position that offers excellent benefits through large healthcare systems. Another possibility is becoming an EMT safety officer at a retirement community, responding to on-site medical needs.
And then there are the “fun” options, like working as an EMT at LEGOLAND or SeaWorld in San Diego — something he says could be especially exciting once grandchildren arrive.
Lessons for Anyone Considering a Late-Career Pivot
For Condon, the biggest takeaway is that it’s never too late to make a change — and the risk is often smaller than people fear.
“If you’re not enjoying your current job and haven’t been for a while, you’re not going to be successful. Don’t be afraid to take the opportunity to pivot,” he said. “If it doesn’t work out, you can pivot again — and you’ll still have learned something.”
He believes staying in an unfulfilling job for too long only leads to a downward spiral. By stepping away from a career that no longer inspired him, he found not only a new profession but also a renewed sense of purpose.
“One of my favorite sayings is, ‘If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.’ At some point, you have to pick a new road — and take it.”
