Ashley Cavender: From EMT training to a career as a midwife
Many children dream of helping others, but few bring those dreams to life quite like Ashley Cavender, a certified professional midwife and business owner. Her journey through the Oklahoma CareerTech system gave her the confidence and skills to pursue her passion.
Homeschooled through high school, Cavender was encouraged by her mother to explore opportunities at Mid-America Technology Center. A tour of the facility led her to the emergency medical technician program, which immediately caught her attention.
“It was a perfect fit for my personality and interests,” she said. “Plus, it was free for me to attend based on where we lived, so I couldn’t pass it up.”
Enrolling in the EMT program not only provided skills she would later use as a midwife, but it also introduced her to HOSA, the CareerTech student association affiliated with health science education.
“I never imagined how much being involved in HOSA would impact me,” Cavender said. “It wasn’t just about learning health care skills. It taught me leadership, teamwork and gave me the confidence to pursue midwifery.”
While completing the EMT program, Cavender became deeply involved in HOSA, serving as Oklahoma HOSA state chaplain from 2015 to 2016. She also competed in EMT competitive events, earning second place with her partner. However, the leadership opportunities were the most memorable part of her experience.
“HOSA really took me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I had to speak in front of large crowds, work on teams and connect with so many new people. Those experiences are still paying off in my career today.”
The hands-on training at a technology center and her leadership experiences through HOSA gave Cavender the confidence to follow a lifelong dream: becoming a midwife.
“I grew up in a home where birth was normalized,” she said. “I knew midwifery was for me, but it wasn’t until my EMT training that I felt ready to take that step.”
She later attended the Midwives College of Utah, earning her certified professional midwife credential and a Bachelor of Science in midwifery. Today, Cavender runs her own midwifery practice in the Kansas City area, helping families welcome their babies at home.
Reflecting on her journey, Cavender credits CareerTech and HOSA with preparing her for a challenging yet rewarding career.
“CareerTech gives you real-world skills and experiences that prepare you for the future,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
