Though she is currently a sophomore at Bay College’s Iron Mountain campus, Megan Elsey’s higher education didn’t start there. After graduating from Calumet High School in 2009, she began her first semester of college—but chose not to continue at that time.
“I attended a semester at Northern Michigan University, and with the cost, I decided it would be best not to continue with schooling right then,” she said,
Instead, she found work at a factory in Calumet.
“While doing that job, I met my husband and we had our first child,” Megan said.
Once her husband graduated from Michigan Technological University, he and Megan moved to Norway in 2016.
In 2018, Megan and her husband had their second child. Megan raised her children as a stay-at-home mother until her first child started attending school.
“That’s when I decided I would go to school part-time as well,” she said.
She opted to restart her college education at Bay’s Iron Mountain campus due to its location, affordability, and opportunities for online learning.
“Having two young children, it’s important for me to not be too tied down to a schedule. Sickness happens, snow days happen, and it’s not always feasible to go to class on time,” Megan said.
Megan started taking classes at Bay during the Winter 2022 semester and has been there ever since.
“Things have been going very well. I’ve had steady progress in my classes,” she said.
At Bay, Megan is pursuing an Office Information Systems/Administrative Assistant degree.
“It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized I enjoy doing paperwork and scheduling for my family,” she said.
In May 2024, Megan earned the office assistant certificate she was initially working toward as a Bay student.
“I enjoyed it so much that I decided to extend my schooling another year and go for my associate degree as an administrative assistant,” she said.
One of Megan’s favorite things about Bay has been her interactions with teachers and other people at the Iron Mountain campus.
“I’m so happy with all the assistance that’s available here at Bay, and how open and friendly the faculty and students are. There’s not a single person on campus I’d be afraid to approach and ask questions,” she said.
Megan has also enjoyed tutoring through the college and the TRIO Student Support Services Program, which she has done since the Fall 2022 semester.
“It’s been fun to help other students and get to know them,” she said.
In addition to tutoring, Megan works at Bay’s front desk and testing center and helps at the food pantry. She said this work experience has been a good fit with her field of study.
“It’s been so much fun. I’ve been learning a lot, and it helps me build my resume,” Megan said.
According to Megan, she is on track to earn her associate degree by the end of the Winter 2025 semester. Beyond that point, she hopes to find a job related to her field of study.
“I would like to find a front desk or assistant position in any kind of office setting—something not too predictable, so it keeps it interesting,” she said.