Ashley Silva
Austin, TX USA
"You have one life to live—you should do something that you’re passionate about."
Career Roadmap
Ashley's work combines: Medicine, Science, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Surgical Technology
Austin Community College
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I took a short break from school after graduating high school.
2.
When I first went to college, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do—I took general education classes and tried out a few different fields.
3.
When I was 19 years old, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to leave school—not only did it take a huge toll on my physical and mental health, but it also made me reevaluate my career path.
4.
After taking time off to heal physically and emotionally, I went back to school but still struggled to find the right major for me.
5.
I eventually came across the surgical technology program and felt very drawn to it—I spoke to my counselors and was able to switch into the program.
6.
Not only was I passionate about the surgical tech program, but having a baby and becoming a single mom also motivated me to make it through school and provide a better life for my child.
7.
I earned my associate degree in surgical technology and am currently working as a surgical technician assisting both neurosurgery and reconstructive surgery.
8.
I’m also still in school with plans to earn an advanced degree as a physician assistant.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Growing up, I bounced around a lot of host families—similar to the foster system. The instability made it difficult for me to determine what I wanted to do in life or plan a solid path.
I was diagnosed with cancer at 19 years old. It took a huge toll on my physical and mental health, and affected my career path. It's one of the reasons I decided to pursue medicine.
I'm a single mom and I'm also working while going to school. It's difficult to balance but I wanted to get my degree to better provide for my child. I found a program through my community college that has been very helpful in supporting my efforts.