 |
Jeb Weymouth '13 |
|
|
 |
Weymouth interned under the guidance of Stephanie Golembeski '97. Grayson Henderson '05 (right) is an environmental scientist at Froehling & Robertson. |
 |
"I feel strongly that all students should do internships
prior to graduation," says Golembeski. |
2/1/13
Randolph-Macon College students are gaining valuable work experience with the help of Yellow Jacket alumni. Just ask
environmental studies major
Jeb Weymouth ’13.
Weymouth did a January Term (
J-term) internship at Froehling & Robertson, Inc., an independent consulting engineer/testing firm, under the guidance of Project Manager
Stephanie Golembeski ’97. Working closely with Golembeski, Weymouth learned the finer points of environmental consulting.
“An
internship is a great way to get out in the working world,” says Weymouth, who is also an
economics minor. “This experience will prepare me for life after R-MC by allowing me to see firsthand what it takes to succeed in the workplace. Being able to network with R-MC alumni while at college is a valuable benefit of my education; alumni are fantastic role models. And I know that the ‘alumni connection’ I recently experienced will continue to be an asset long after I graduate.”
Golembeski knows firsthand the importance of internships.
“Having done several internships during my time at R-MC, I feel strongly that all students should do internships prior to graduation,” she says. “It is a great way to determine if you are interested in pursuing a career in a particular field. In addition, an internship is a wonderful entry into networking.” Internships, says Golembeski, give students a real advantage in the marketplace.
“Finding a job in these economic times can be difficult, and the more people you have looking out for you the better off you will be,” she says. “I have had several jobs since graduating from R-MC and I got all of them with the help of networking. And working with other Yellow Jackets is great.
Grayson Henderson ’05 is an environmental scientist at Froehling & Robertson, and the three of us enjoyed catching up on all the latest R-MC news.”
“Participating in an internship is a fantastic opportunity for a student,” says Henderson. “The experience not only teaches them more about what they want to do, but also identifies what they may
not want to do. Internships are also an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in class and to gain professional experience.”
On campus, Weymouth is captain of the
baseball team and participates in
community-service events, including R-MC’s annual
Macon a Difference Day. He plans on working in the environmental studies field after graduation. He draws inspiration from
Biology and Environmental Studies Professor Chas. Gowan.
“Professor Gowan has really helped me pursue my interest in environmental studies,” he says. “He once said that the great thing about environmental studies is that it is not about the money, it is about our ability to conduct sound science and ensure the legacy of our environment. I want to help promote a healthy environment for future generations.”
Internships Internships are just one of the opportunities offered by
The Randolph-Macon EDGE. Within the
Center for Personal and Career Development,
The EDGE is a four-year program designed to help students identify their career passions, compete for meaningful employment and apply to graduate schools.
For 30 years, R-MC’s
Bassett Internship Program has been successfully placing students in internships both in the U.S. and around the globe. Coordinated with the Center for Personal and Career Development, the Bassett Internship Program works closely with students to help identify their interests and match 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.
Students may choose to pursue academic, paid, or volunteer internships in a wide variety of settings; recent internships have seen R-MC students gaining valuable knowledge and experience in fields including health care, finance, non-profit, communications and media, education, politics and law, and the arts.