Michael Bowdish, Bachelor’s of Science in Healthcare Administration
Michael Bowdish reflects on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along his road to graduation—and why perseverance made all the difference.
What’s been your most memorable experience from your time at Baker?
Statistics was one of my most memorable experiences at Baker because it truly pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was a challenging course, but I’m glad I passed.
Who has had the greatest impact on your academic journey?
I truly couldn’t have done this without my wife. Working full-time while going to school was overwhelming at times, and she was the one who kept everything going at home. Her support meant everything.
What’s next for you in your career? What’s the first thing you will do after graduation?
After graduating, my goal is to continue growing within my current employer—whether that means advancing up the ladder or exploring new opportunities in different departments. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned and take on new challenges as I build my career.
What words of wisdom would you provide to future Baker students?
When you start, keep going until you finish. Try not to take a semester off, and maybe think twice about that ‘gap year.’ Once you stop, life has a funny way of filling in the space.
I earned my associate’s degree in 2008 and told myself, ‘I’ll just take a semester or two off, then head back to finish my bachelor’s.’ But life happened. I married my amazing wife. We had three wonderful kids. I found a solid job—and before I knew it, twelve years had gone by.
Eventually, I made it back and completed my degree. But, I’ll be honest—it was much harder the second time around, juggling family, work, and everything else adulthood throws at you.
So, if you can, keep the momentum. Finish while it’s just you and the textbooks. Your future self will thank you.