2/27/13
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Justin Thorn '13 and Ken Odoi, financial analyst |
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Randolph-Macon College student
Justin Thorn ’13 is an
accounting major who spent January Term (
J-term) interning at Genworth Financial in Richmond, Virginia. Under the guidance of Financial Analyst Kevin Odoi, Thorn tested internal controls to make sure that Genworth is in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
“Sarbanes-Oxley was a bill passed by Congress in 2002 so that companies and their investors are protected against theft and fraud,” explains Thorn. “Genworth has a large array of internal controls that need to be tested quarterly to ensure that the company and its investors are protected. I conducted tests on preexisting controls and logged the results of my tests into a database.”
Thorn prepared for his month at Genworth by meeting with his
internship advisor, R-MC
Economics/Business Professor Paul Sikkar, and with Cathy Rollman, the director of professional development in the
Center for Personal and Career Development.
“Ms. Rollman helped me update my résumé,” says Thorn. “I can’t thank her enough for her help.”
Thorn’s internship gave him the opportunity to apply what he had learned in the classroom to real-world situations.
“It was great to learn firsthand how to perform internal control tests—something I’d read about in class—and I realized that my R-MC education set the foundation for what I experienced in the workplace.”
“Interns learn what it takes to make sound decisions and tackle various business-related tasks,” says Odoi. “Internships prepare students for the real world of work, as they utilize their knowledge from the classroom and apply those skills to the office. Having a mentor during this process is essential. Mentors assist by motivating students and by offering advice.”
On campus, Thorn is a member of Kappa Alpha Order
fraternity and is involved in
community-service projects, including Adopt-a-Highway. His Yellow Jacket pride is evident when he describes the R-MC community.
“The relationships you form at R-MC are incredible,” he says. “Faculty and staff truly care about students—that’s something you won’t find everywhere. My advisor, Accounting Professor Cathy Staples, is a great example of that. She’s always available to answer any questions. She cares about her students and will do anything to help.”
In spring 2013, Thorn will take one more class at R-MC and spend the rest of his time interning at Admiral Administration, a leading global hedge fund administrator, where he will assist with account management and learn about the hedge fund industry. He looks forward to a career that will utilize his know-how.
“I hope to work in an accounting, business, or finance department after I graduate from R-MC,” he says. “I may go on to earn my CPA after a few years in the industry.”
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.