This weekend, RMC sophomores will be participating in one of my favorite events at the College. The EDGE Career Boot Camp is our signature two-day experience that gives students the opportunity to build a foundation for their future job search with networking, mock interviews, and resume workshops.

As Randolph-Macon sharpens its focus on student success through the integrated approach of the Center for Student Success, my colleagues and I on the EDGE Career Development Team have sharpened the focus of Boot Camp. The schedule of events is shorter than it’s been in the past, reflecting our goal to streamline the experience while incorporating feedback from students during a focus group that we held in the spring.

This new-look Boot Camp will be centered around four key objectives: resume development, LinkedIn profile creation, networking, and mock interviews. We’ll explore those four pillars through a “teach and apply” model where students will first participate in workshops to learn specific skills, then have opportunities to put those skills into practice through interactive experiences. For example, a Networking Workshop will lead into a Networking Reception, allowing students to apply what they learned in a real-world setting.

Events that were previously part of the weekend, like the etiquette dinner and financial literacy session, will now be offered as stand-alone programs that we’re calling Boot Camp Enhancements. Students registered for Boot Camp will be strongly encouraged to participate in these additional programs to further develop their skills. 

We are excited about this new format and look forward to seeing students grow into competitive candidates for their chosen careers. We are also eager to gather feedback from both students and volunteers to help us evaluate the experience and identify opportunities for continued improvement.

Of course, the alumni, parents, faculty and staff, and friends that make up our corps of volunteers are crucial to the Boot Camp experience and we’re grateful for their time. If you have interest in making a difference, we hope to see you at a future Boot Camp!