Meet Amanda Bowsher, New Undergraduate Coordinator for FMSC

There'll be a new face coming soon to the Department of Family Science: Amanda Bowsher has been hired as the new Undergraduate Coordinator for the department.

Amanda comes to us from THE Ohio State University, where she served as an Academic and Career Counselor. She also earned both her BA (English) and MA (Higher Education and Student Affairs) from OSU.

In anticipation of her arrival, the Healthy Turtle talked with Amanda about her new job and the challenges of college life for students:

Healthy Turtle: As Undergraduate Coordinator, in what ways will you interact with students?

Amanda Bowsher: I will be working with students in one-on-one individual advising appointments, during Change of Major workshops, Family Science and School of Public Health events, as the FMSC 477 internship course instructor and in many other various capacities. While I believe the most beneficial advising relationship is built upon regular, face-to-face advising appointments, I will also be communicating with students regularly through individual emails and through listserv messages announcing FMSC opportunities and reminders.

HT: As someone who's worked in numerous roles with college students, what do you find most rewarding about working with them?

AB: College students are at this amazing point in their lives where so many opportunity doors are opening. They’re making active choices about who they are and who they hope to become. It’s so rewarding to be a part of that process and to assist students in making important academic, career, and life decisions. Nothing beats getting to know an individual student and seeing them progress from orientation to graduation.

HT: What do you see as the unique challenges facing college students today?

AB: Today’s college students are inundated with information. From Facebook, to immediate online news updates, to email alerts and text messages on your cell phone—information is coming from all directions. It can be difficult to block out all outside distractions and really focus on what’s important.

Also, students are feeling more pressure than ever to be prepared for life (and the job market) after graduation. It’s really important to take advantage of the leadership and skill-building opportunities UMD offers so you set yourself up for success after graduation.

HT: Any suggestions for students while on summer break?

AB: Have fun, you won’t have summer breaks forever! Also, if you don’t have an internship or major-related summer job, take a few hours a week to volunteer in an area you’d be interested in working in some day. You could also job shadow a family member, friend, neighbor or acquaintance whose career you find really interesting. These experiences are fabulous opportunities for you to begin a list of “must haves” in a potential career or job.

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