“I Was Unemployed… Now I Teach Others” — Ashley Taylor Shares Her Story

In this episode of What in the Health is Going On?, we hear an inspiring story from Ashley Taylor — a journey of transformation, resilience, and opportunity.

From being unemployed to becoming an assistant instructor, Ashley shares how a short-term workforce program completely changed her life.

She talks about:

- The challenges of being unemployed
- How support systems like childcare, transportation, and mentorship made a difference
- What it’s like to go from student to teacher
- Why having the right community matters
- How workforce programs can create real opportunities

Ashley also explains how programs like C2C provide not just training, but full support from start to finish — helping people succeed beyond just getting a job.

This is a powerful reminder that with the right opportunity and support, your situation can change faster than you think.

Learn more about workforce development programs and how to get involved:
https://www.c2cworkforce.org/programs-2

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/wjxKI3djOxk

#Transformation #SuccessStory #CareerGrowth #WorkforceDevelopment #Motivation #WhatInTheHealthIsGoingOn

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Okay. Hi. Hi, Linda. Hi. Can you introduce yourself? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

SPEAKER_01 0:07

My name is Ashley Taylor, and I am one of Linda's former CNA students.

SPEAKER_00 0:12

Okay, and how did you get to this point? I mean, I know that you went through the class and you actually graduated. Tell us a little bit more about that pathway that you took.

SPEAKER_01 0:24

I went through the CNA program. It was about six weeks throughout the program. There was continuous support, so many resources, just whatever I needed throughout the program. The community was there. Linda was there. They offered job placement assistance, interviewing skills, resume building. And once I graduated, I was offered a job as an assistant instructor.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

Wonderful. And, you know, I know that we're working on you coming in to teach C2C's next court. How does that feel for you starting out as a student first, like a grassroots path, and then now giving back to where you used to be?

SPEAKER_01 1:09

It actually feels really good. It's like a full circle moment. I know how it feels to be a student. So I understand some of maybe their concerns or just, you know, what it feels like to be in their shoes trying to attain or achieve something. So to go from student to instructor or teacher, it just feels good. I can give back and help someone get to where I am now.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

Okay. What are some of the barriers that you had to go through while you were a student? And how did you get over those, you know, those humps that we call life?

SPEAKER_01 1:44

Well, um, at the time I was unemployed. So the program uh was the funding was free. It was, I was the program was done through a grant, I guess you want to say. So that was very beneficial for me being unemployed. Um, I don't have any children, but there were also things offered like child care and also transportation services. So um sometimes you need an opportunity, but sometimes you also need those uh additional benefits and resources to be able to achieve the goal. So I think it was neat that that type of support was offered throughout the whole program.

SPEAKER_00 2:19

Okay. And as uh C2C, um, this workforce program, you sit on in um a board that is made of employers, community, and the student voices. Why uh has this been uh something that's very important and dear to you?

SPEAKER_01 2:39

Um it's important because I can relate to how it feels to be a student or to be coming from a struggle trying to better yourself. And being on the other end now, I also know how it feels to be the employer, you know, looking for the job seeker. You know what they need, you know what you're looking for, so you can kind of bridge the gap between the two.

SPEAKER_00 3:03

And lastly, what is one advice you'd give to students that are searching for a program, like a training program, uh workforce development program, to get their CNA credential, a phlebotomy tech credential, or NCCR credential? Um, and why does C2C uh is above the rest?

SPEAKER_01 3:22

Um I would advise them to take advantage of the program and the benefits that are being offered and to invest in their self. Um C2C is different and it sets themselves apart just because from beginning to end you'll be supported. It feels like family, and then they want to make sure that you're successful.

SPEAKER_00 3:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

Thank you, Ashley. Appreciate your time. Thank you.