I’m spitballin’ here, but maybe the connection is that the OP’s son should steer clear of all jobs that don’t contribute to society, such as, for example, being a Oxycontin sales rep? 
Or maybe we could just drop that tangent and get back to the main thread
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I was talking about how poorly young adults working as EMTs get paid and how folks like volunteer firefighters save lives, but don’t get paid and how as a society we don’t seem to pay people what they should get (i.e. at least a living wage for people who literally save lives) and how we overvalue other professions that don’t contribute to society.
Someone then asked me “what jobs don’t contribute to society” and I said dirty drug companies like PurduePharma and the Sacklers who rake in billions while tens of thousands die of prescription opioid addictions each year according to the CDC.
So the connection is the son who became an EMT isn’t making enough money to live on and how it’s a shame as a society we don’t value that more by way of a living wage.
Already been done by many people:
The chair of the House oversight committee, Carolyn Maloney, told the Sacklers she wanted to hear them “acknowledge your wrongdoing” at the hearing on Thursday. “The families and communities whose lives have been ruined deserve at least that much,” she said.
Instead, a hearing bubbling with anger saw infuriated members of Congress likening the Sacklers to the Mexican drug cartel leader, El Chapo, and the multi-billion dollar fraudster, Bernie Madoff. One congressman said he thought they were possibly the most evil family in America.
Strikingly, Republicans and Democrats alike were united in their disgust.
“We don’t agree on a lot on this committee in a bipartisan way,” James Comer, the highest ranking Republican, told the Sacklers. “But I think our opinion of PurduePharma, and the actions of your family, we all agree are sickening.”
The two Sacklers misjudged the mood from the start. Members of the committee had lined up a long list of accusations over Purdue’s illegal marketing of OxyContin, a very high-strength opioid painkiller that federal agents called “heroin in a pill”. The company made false claims to downplay its addictiveness, aggressively marketed the drug for people who didn’t need it, and drove a change in medical culture that led to the prescribing of narcotics at much higher rates than other countries. That in turn laid the foundations for an opioid epidemic that has lasted two decades and shows no sign of ending.
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Will be interesting to see what happens in certain areas. High costs of living make it difficult for many of the services/support businesses/operations to retain people at sufficiently high levels of income to live in many high cost areas. Already a huge struggle in some parts of the country. At some point, something likely needs to give.
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In terms of CA and it being a HCOL state, last year CA passed SB9, which allows for ministerial approval, without discretionary review or hearings, of duplex residential development on single-family zoned parcels.
So, I can build a 2nd unit on my SFD lot. 
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Actually I thought I was agreeing with you. Oxy is a breakthrough for acute pain; the problems have come about due to either irresponsible prescribing (some of which can be tied back irresponsible sales tactics, some to specific doctors) or due to prescribing for long-term chronic pain. I’m glad you’ve gotten relief - it may be appropriate for some people with chronic pain, but for many with chronic pain it stops working on the pain (and can even make it worse) but they are unable to function without it. But overall I thought I was agreeing with you - I certainly never said (and don’t agree) with the premise that an entire company is filled with people who do not contribute to society. Either you mis-read my post or I wrote it particularly poorly (probably the latter).
Let’s please stay on topic. If someone wants to start another thread about the OxyContin scandal., they may do so. In fairness though, I get the point trying to be made.
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I agree. And from a contribute to society perspective, you need to get quite macro. These companies (any company) employ people. These employed people earn a living and buy goods and services, coach little league, volunteer in the community, etc. It’s what keeps are economy going. One could make an argument than anyone involved in the fast food industry, sugary drink industry, salty snack industry, etc are harming society. What is the long term effect of a poor diet on a society? How much does it contribute to heart disease which is still the largest cause of death in America. I’m not suggesting that oxy sellers are the same thing as Pepsico or KFC.
My kids have been very clear that there are certain companies that they would not choose to work for.
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My OT thoughts: This thread should tie up with another one open: Did you advice your kids on their Major choice (I am not getting correct title top of my mind).
I think Parents/Kids need to think/research before they choose a major as not all majors are same pay wise. We need a plan B if the plan A doesn’t work out. This is especially true for HCOL areas like CA, NYC etc.
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We definitely had conversations about career path, salary ranges, etc… but not every child is ready to see the big picture at 18. My first child was not terribly academic. We’d have been fine with him going into a vocation like law enforcement, military, fire, etc… but he was not sure what he wanted to do. If he wasn’t pursuing a vocation, then our expectation was he’d be in college full time. He pursued an area of study he loved- fitness, physiology, etc… without a strong plan for the future. Is that ideal? No. But, it’s where he was at. At this point, he’s college educated with no debt and trying to find his path. Is that a bad place to be at 24? I don’t think so. Would it have been more practical if he’d gone into finance and accounting like his dad? Sure, but that wasn’t for him.
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I feel the same. I also feel that it’s not practical to go into a career that you don’t have the aptitude for.
It’s nice to know that he doesn’t have any college debt which is a burden on lot of youngsters. I also agree that we cannot force anyone into something if they are not interested.
Lot of great suggestions already given but since I am from Bay Area, perhaps moving to a low-cost area with good jobs maybe a good idea (as other have suggested).
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Agree with above. Lots of great suggestions mentioned here, but few if any of those would support an adult living independently in SF itself. I wish it were otherwise, but the cost of living there is sky high, and the rent prices are based upon the high tech/finance salaries that can support that rent. It might be time to reassess either where he wants to live or what he wants to do, as his current expectations do not match.
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My brother is an EMT, but didn’t do it as a career. His main job is as a ski patroller, but the more certifications he gets, the more he gets paid. So he just kept completing the courses and suddenly he was an EMT. He picks up jobs when he needs them, usually at things like summer festivals or sporting events, and he gets paid pretty well per event. He of course has health insurance through his main job for the ski corp (now Medicare!) so that’s not a consideration.
The EMTs that work for fire departments or ambulance services around here do pretty well. Almost required to have an EMT certificate before becoming a fireman