Sudden job loss leads to a degree from Davenport University and financial stability

People choose to attend Davenport University for a variety of reasons. Some seek a degree to continue a family tradition, achieve personal goals or attain financial security. Others obtain a degree to help them land their dream job or give them a competitive advantage over other applicants. 

Whatever the reason for attending college, one constant is true: a quality education is an invaluable asset that can open up a world of possibilities.  

In this series, we profile four motivated students on their educational journey and learn how Davenport is igniting their passion and fueling their future. 

Brenda Humphrey- adult student from Lake Isabella

“Davenport is fueling my future by opening doors to advance my career.”

Davenport gradudate Brenda Humphrey turned a sudden job loss into a positive by returning to school to earn her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Davenport.

Humphrey found herself out of a job when her employer of 13 years permanently closed the location where she worked with little warning. While they offered her a job at another facility, it wasn’t a realistic alternative because it would have required uprooting her family and moving to Detroit. To make matters worse, the only other employment she could find at that time paid significantly less than what she had been making. Humphrey found herself at a crossroads and decided to go back to college to make sure she never found herself in that situation again. 

Humphrey eventually found employment as the health information management supervisor for MyMichigan Health Midland and learned of a corporate partnership agreement the organization had with Davenport. She seized the opportunity to take advantage of the partnership, which is still in place today and enables employees to attend Davenport at a discounted rate. 

After some soul-searching and research, she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health information management. She chose that field because jobs were in high demand in a variety of industries, such as hospitals, prisons, insurance companies and research facilities. 

“Once I committed to going back to school, things moved pretty quickly,” Humphrey said. “I spoke with a Davenport admissions representative and started classes one week later,” she said.  

Humphrey said going back to school was one of the best decisions she ever made. She was able to complete her degree in two years and is thankful for the security and flexibility it provides her. 

“I love the fact that I can work anywhere medical records are used and have the freedom to work remotely from virtually anywhere,” Humphrey said.

She is still with MyMichigan, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of HIM. She said what she enjoys most about HIM is the flexibility, fast pace and revolving changes in technology.

“If I had not gone back for my bachelor’s degree, I wouldn’t have as many options for advancement,” Humphrey said. “I always tell people that the only way to fail is to not try at all,” she said.