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Margarita Tobar '07 |
Randolph-Macon College alumna
Margarita Tobar ’07 is originally from Quito, Ecuador. She remembers feeling a little apprehensive at the thought of attending college so far from home, but says it wasn’t long before she felt comfortable at R-MC.
“As soon as I set foot on campus, I realized I had made one of the best decisions of my life,” she recalls.
Tobar, an emergency department physician assistant at Johns Hopkins Hospital, majored in
biology and minored in
chemistry. She earned her Master of Medical Science from Wake Forest University. Research that she conducted at R-MC helped her solidify her career choice.
“My
SURF (Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship) project focused on genetics,” she says. “SURF was challenging but rewarding, and it helped me develop skills that I use today.”
An
internship at the Virginia IVF (in vitro fertilization) and Andrology Center Facility was also integral to Tobar’s career path.
“I was introduced to the many aspects of IVF, including patient care, which was a stepping stone to my career,” she says. As a physician assistant, Tobar takes care of patients from all triage levels and works with all members of the health team including nurses, doctors, and medical techs. “Our patient population is large and multicultural, making every day exciting and challenging,” she says. “My R-MC education helped prepare me for the rigors of a demanding career.”
Tobar’s advice to prospective students reflects her passion for her alma mater.
“When high school is coming to an end, you feel like the sky is the limit and feel like you will be able to do it all,” she says. “Randolph-Macon helps you build on that, by
guiding you in the different classes you can take and the
organizations you can be a part of. You do not go to
R-MC solely for its outstanding academic program; you go to become a better person.”
Paving the Way for Success Rather than prepare students for one career, Randolph-Macon College prepares students for a lifetime of careers in an ever-changing world. Exceptional faculty work with students to cultivate their ability to think critically and analytically and to find creative solutions for solving problems. R-MC graduates are well-prepared for successful careers, often far outside of their areas of study.
The Randolph-Macon EDGE, the cornerstone of the
Center for Personal and Career Development, helps Randolph-Macon students lead the pack when competing for jobs and top graduate schools. Students have the support of faculty, career coaches, alumni and staff as they focus on their personal and academic ambitions.
Students may choose to pursue paid or volunteer internships in a wide variety of settings. The
Bassett Internship Program has been successfully placing students in academic internships both in the U.S. and around the globe for 30 years. Coordinated with the Center for Personal and Career Development, the program helps students identify their interests and matches them with an appropriate internship opportunity. Randolph-Macon’s alumni provide a strong network of support for students throughout their time at the college or in assisting them after graduation with career direction and opportunities.
The college’s
Four-Year Degree Guarantee guarantees in writing that freshmen who meet the Four-Year Degree Guarantee requirements will graduate within four calendar years. If not, Randolph-Macon will waive tuition costs for courses needed to complete the degree. Currently, 95 percent of R-MC graduates complete their degree in four years or less—an important value-added benefit for parents to consider when visiting colleges with their students.
Study Abroad programs offer students a beyond-the-classroom global perspective and opportunities to immerse themselves in other cultures. Students can choose from a host of travel courses during January Term and semester-abroad programs.
The Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (
SURF) program gives students the opportunity to conduct 10 weeks of original research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Many students present their findings at national and international conferences.
Read more Alumni Success stories.