Jakob Bowman

What does public health mean to you?

Public health means improving the livelihoods of communities across the world. Many people forget that each of us plays a role in public health, and we should do our best to improve it as much as we can.

Why did you choose to study public health at WVU?

I chose to study public health and healthcare administration because I want to make a difference in my community. Knowing about the many issues in the healthcare system, I want to change it for the better by ensuring people are following compliance laws.

Have any members of the faculty or staff influenced you in a unique way?

One faculty member who has influenced me is Professor Christopher Martin. I learned about the global perspectives of public health in his class and that made me realize how vast the issues are in public health and how we can play a part in fixing them.

What would you tell prospective students about WVU and the School of Public Health?

I would tell prospective students that it's a wonderful place to learn and make friends. WVU has a beautiful campus and a rich life surrounding it. The School of Public Health reinforces this with a supportive staff to help you in every way.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

The advice I would give my freshman self is never give up. Times will get hard, exams will be difficult, and sometimes personal issues will get in the way. However, you cannot let those things control your life. The most important thing to do is to push through it or seek help if you need it. Never struggle in darkness.

Tell us about your first-generation experience.

Being first-gen for me means breaking the cycle my family has been in. My family has a long history of working in the coal mines, and my dad wants me to complete college so I can break that cycle.

My college experience as a first-gen student has been good overall. When I first arrived at WVU, I didn't have a lot of knowledge about college or the environment which made me nervous; however, support programs like TRIO really helped me through since they're designed to assist first-gen students like myself.

Before coming to WVU, I wish I had known about the bus routes. The PRT often is very crowded and/or breaks down. The buses can be a reliable source of transportation if that happens.

How have your experiences in the School of Public Health helped prepare you for your future?

My experiences in the School of Public Health have prepared me for my future career by helping me learn the skills and knowledge I'll need. Most importantly, I have learned professionalism and various ways to search for careers in public health. Not only that, I have connected with many employers through the School of Public Health, which has definitely helped me prepare for the future.

What do you plan to do upon completion of your degree?

I intend to work in quality compliance either in a clinical or hospital setting.

Do you have any additional comments about the program?

One additional comment I have about the program is that it's a wonderful place to learn to make a change. There are so many career paths in public health, and the School of Public Health at WVU prepares you for that.