Episode 81 — There’s No Such Thing as Lost 20’s as Long as You’re Doing What Works for You —with Ashley Dickson

There’s so much pressure to go to college at 18, graduate at 21, get married at 23, have kids at 25, and the list goes on. These expectations are unrealistic for each person. It’s so important to remember that every single person’s timeline is different and what works for one person will not always work for you. If that means you need to take your 20’s to figure out life and not go to school until your 30, then do it. Ashley Dickson, Recovery Program Coordinator for Tompkins Cortland Community College, didn’t find their path until they were 28 years old. Many would think that means their entire 20’s were a waste, but really, Ashley’s 20’s is what prepared them to be able to enjoy the rest of their life. When they graduated high school they decided to go straight to college in the summer because that was what everyone was doing. After 3 months, Ashley left college feeling lost and with a substance abuse addiction forming. Fast forward 10 years later, after a friend stepped in and encouraged them to get therapy, Ashley was finally able to find the direction they had been lacking. Through treatment they discovered their passion for helping others and couldn’t be happier with the job they have now. If it weren’t for that time off school in her 20’s, Ashley wouldn’t find themselves in the career they are now.On this episode of Success is Subjective, Ashley joins Joanna to share their journey going from a college dropout to coming back to work at Tompkins Cortland College to help students find the direction they longed for. Ashley’s timeline wasn’t anywhere near society’s standards, though they finds themselves so much happier and fulfilled in themselves and in life than most do at their age. Listen in for Ashley’s insight on focusing on doing what works for you, rather than following a set timeline, as it only wastes more of your time in the long run.What You Will LearnDropping out of college 3 months inHow college can feel like an extension of high school when you don’t know what you want to do with your career let alone your life. College can wait!Trying to make ends meet after dropping out while having no directionGoing back to school at 28 with the sense of direction that Ashley longed for at 18How Ashley now works at the college they originally dropped out of and helps students find the guidance that they were missing in schoolConnect with Ashley DicksonTompkins Cortland Collegiate Recovery CommunityTompkins Cortland Wellness on InstagramAshley Dickson on LinkedInEmail address: [email protected] Dickson on InstagramConnect with Joanna Lilley  Lilley ConsultingLilley Consulting on Instagram Lilley Consulting on Facebook Sponsored by: College Parent Survival NetworkEmail [email protected]