Replying to Anyone on here an EMT?

my buddy just started talking to me about how he thinks he might want to get his EMT certifications and possibly go on to become a paramedic. They offer some health/emt classes at our college for credit and i said i would take the first class with him next semester because i need a health class and it seems pretty interesting. i dont know if i want to persue this as a future full time career or anything but i know i do get some sort of certification for passing the class, and it might be useful for when i need a job this summer when the shop i work at closes. i guess im just looking for general information from anyone who is an EMT or has taken anything to get any of the certifications. any info really would help. thanks