Answering a New Call: A Paramedic’s Journey into Kinesiology and Campus Life

After years of responding to emergencies, Carter Johnson has arrived at the University of Calgary as a student, eager to further his knowledge and pursue his dream. For most students, University is the beginning, but for Carter, it is a continuation of a life devoted to helping others. Enrolled in the kinesiology program, Carter has brought with him a wealth of real-world medical experience from his years of being a paramedic and firefighter and has used it to excel in his classes and support the campus community. The passion that Carter has for community is reflected in the way he volunteers, leads and continually looks for ways to contribute beyond the classroom.

A highlight from the kinesiology program that has stuck with Carter since he started was his experience in the KNES 259 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I) and KNES 260 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II) labs. He mentioned that he did not experience learning opportunities like this in paramedic school and found a high level of respect and value in learning from human donor models compared to plastic models and diagrams. 

One of the reasons Carter chose the kinesiology program is due to his interest in a preventative approach to medicine and the growing research in this area. During this school year, Carter is involved in ongoing research in the Integrative Neurophysiology and Exercise Laboratory within the Human Performance Lab looking at torque evoked knee pain and the sex differences in pain perception. Through his involvement in this research, Carter hopes to gain valuable knowledge and understanding to hopefully contribute to preventative healthcare strategies in the future.

Carter stated that one of the biggest surprises that he has encountered as a mature student, is how much respect he has for what he is learning and how he has been able to apply it to his day-to-day life. Carter explained that Kinesiology is a degree that can open the door to a multitude of post-graduation pathways and expressed his interest in continuing his education further to pursue a career as a physician or physiotherapist. 

Few choose to return to university to pursue an education while balancing ambition with the demands of everyday life, but Carter’s advice to anyone considering a similar path is simple: just do it- don’t hold yourself back from making a change or chasing the goals that matter to you. With every step forward, Carter demonstrates that learning is a continuous process, and it is never too late to redefine your journey.