When Patricia McDowell, of Boston, first attended college, she struggled with the writing and research that a degree in history required. A conversation with her daughter’s sixth grade teacher sparked a renewed interest in the subject and the idea of going back to school. Middlesex Community College helped her get on the path to pursuing her childhood passion.
“Even though I loved history, I did not have the technology and support to access the resources I needed to be successful, so I eventually changed my major and earned a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Administration,” McDowell said. “MCC gave me the confidence and the coursework to pursue my dream to study history and teaching.”
At Middlesex, McDowell earned credits and gained skills that she used to get into a master’s degree program at Tufts University for teaching. As a stay-at-home mother at the time, she needed the flexibility of a community college to balance her studies with her personal responsibilities, as well as to ensure this was the right choice for her.
“Being able to do the work on my schedule made all the difference,” she said. “I also think it gave me courage that I lacked as an undergraduate because I was weighed down by my inability to research and write efficiently. Taking online classes allowed me to maximize the use of new online tools to help me with research and essay writing.”
Taking online classes at Middlesex also prepared McDowell for teaching online during the pandemic as she learned the best ways to organize classes using this structure. Access to resources at MCC’s library, as well as support and guidance from professors, helped make her experience more convenient and her goals feel more within reach.
“MCC gave me the confidence and the coursework to pursue my dream to study history and teaching.” - Patricia McDowell, MCC Alumna
Calling her the top reason for enjoying her time at Middlesex, MCC Professor Deborah Botker supported McDowell inside and outside of the classroom. In her classes, Botker made the content more accessible through resources and materials that allowed McDowell to dive deeper into topics. Outside of class, her conversations with Botker “helped me to really zero in on my eventual career path,” McDowell said.
McDowell graduated from Tufts University in 2020 and is now teaching civics classes to middle schoolers. Her passion for learning how people lived and traveled throughout history started by reading and watching “Little House on the Prairie” as a child. Her journey from a childhood hobby to now working in her dream career is one she appreciates.
Middlesex provided her a second chance at pursuing a job she loves, helped her develop a clearer vision for the future, and built a foundation of knowledge, both in history and teaching. The experience, McDowell believes, was “life-changing.”
“MCC made it possible for me to change careers later in my life and return to work after my time as a homemaker and mom,” McDowell said. “I feel so fortunate that I was able to make this career switch, especially after being out of the workforce for so long.”