Alumnus Success: Garrett Starkey ’07

Garrett Starkey '07

Randolph-Macon College alumnus Garrett Starkey ’07 is an Automated Clearing House (ACH) and wire transfer supervisor at TowneBank in Portsmouth, Virginia. The economics/business major got a jump-start on his career with the help of R-MC’s internship and study-abroad programs.

During his junior year at R-MC, he participated in a January Term (J-term) internship at the corporate office of Dominic’s of New York. Starkey worked in the marketing department, preparing instruction manuals for franchise owners and conducting surveys of the company’s market demographic.

The following year, Starkey traveled to England in conjunction with a J-term economics class. The mini-immersion experience gave him a global perspective.

“I had the rare opportunity to explore another economic culture,” recalls Starkey, who minored in accounting. “I learned not only about the complexity of English economics, but also about the rich history of England. We attended classes taught by a British professor, sat in on lectures given by British economists, and toured some of the most famous English landmarks. Without question, this travel course one of my favorite and most fulfilling experiences of my college career.”

In his fast-paced position at TowneBank, Starkey helps facilitate worldwide electronic transfers.

“Working in the banking industry requires financial and economic know-how,” he says. “But being successful also requires leadership and good communication skills—both of which I developed at Randolph-Macon.”

For Starkey, a Randolph-Macon liberal arts education is never-ending.

“With a multi-faceted education, the possibilities are endless,” he says. “At R-MC, I was involved in numerous clubs and organizations, which taught me critical lessons. The connections I made with my college friends are vital to me, and seeing how successful my fellow alumni are motivates me to keep pace with them.”

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.