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William Chalifoux '07 |
How to succeed in college? Get involved. That’s what Randolph-Macon College alumnus
William Chalifoux ’07 tells new students.
“Networking is everything, and you can’t get your name out there or get to know people without being involved with
Greek Life, campus activities,
internships, or the other great opportunities that R-MC offers,” says Chalifoux, a business project manager at SunTrust Mortgage, Inc. “Think about what it is that really makes you happy in life, and then figure out a way you can incorporate that into your career. If you love what you do, you’ll never ‘work’ a day in your life.”
Chalifoux, a
sociology major, says that his R-MC education—including a
January Term trip to Johannesburg, South Africa— gave him a new perspective on the world.
“My four years at R-MC gave me a well-rounded worldview, which has really helped me in my career,” he says. “In South Africa we saw firsthand how people live in abject poverty. That was a really eye-opening experience for me, and it gave me an appreciation for how many advantages and opportunities we have in America.”
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.