Alumni Stories - Ashley Joseph

“When I first started, I was a transfer student, and I was stuck on going to mortuary school. That was the only thing I wanted to do. After going through an accounting class I had to slow down and realize that your path is not always going to go exactly the way you plan it. Sometimes you have to detour, and I learned that at York Tech. A lot has changed from then to now. I have opened my eyes to other opportunities and other things in my field of interest that I can do other than just being a police officer or deputy coroner. I would say that my outlook has changed drastically and that’s helped me see my path.” 

Having a one-track mind can be difficult to overcome, but with the support of her instructors, she found something that met her current needs while keeping her future goals in sight. Moreover, Ashley learned to slow down and appreciate the present. Although she was initially wary about some of the courses in her criminal justice major, the confidence she gained at York Tech allowed her to tackle them with ease, picking up new skills along the way. 

“I actually had a class that was report writing. When I tell you I did not think I could do it, but I did! With the help of Miss. Hovis! I did it and I learned a lot about how reports worked. I honestly thought police officers just sit on the side of the road and watch for speeders, but they write these reports and you have to be in a peaceful place, pull over, chill, and intentionally write it. It’s so important the way these reports are written!” 

Our faculty and staff instill a level of confidence in our students that is truly invaluable. Just as Patricia Hovis did with Ashley, we are dedicated to guiding students in need as they find their path within our community. Like many others, Ashley gained new skills and a fresh perspective on her career during her time at York Tech, which she says was essential to her professional growth: 

“I would say that it gave me the opportunity to learn a lot, slow down, and see opportunities are out there for me instead of being stuck on a one track mind. I could see what else I could potentially enjoy. There’s no telling where I would be if I hadn’t come here.” 

We are delighted that Ashley discovered new facets of herself at York Tech. Though she still plans to attend mortuary school, she has learned to appreciate where she is now, confident that her dreams will be ready when she chooses to pursue them. We look forward to seeing what Ashley does next, and remaining dedicated to the York Tech mission, we will always be here to offer our support.