Danielle Serio ’21 experienced a taste of REAL LIFE even before her recent graduation from Randolph-Macon.

The Phi Beta Kappa Psychology and Criminology double major with a minor in English applied her academic experience to a virtual internship with the REAL LIFE organization during RMC’s popular January Term and found her future passion.

The REAL LIFE program serves individuals who have been impacted by incarceration, homelessness, or substance use disorder by giving them an opportunity to overcome personal and community barriers that hinder their pathway to a thriving life. The organization also provides services to its members through housing in one of nine recovery transitional houses and then coupling that with intense case management and holistic programming. 

“My experience at REAL LIFE was eye-opening, to say the least,” says Serio. “I learned about the struggles people go through in the criminal justice system, specifically upon release from incarceration. I also saw first-hand how motivated and thankful these individuals were to have a chance for a better life. Interviewing members about their unique, personal stories was impactful and I took away a new perspective on issues in society I had not seen before.

Serio helped program members with finding benefits, including healthcare and food stamps. She also participated in their classes about relationships, anger management and recovery and assisted the organization with outreach through writing on their REAL LIFE blog.

Sarah Scarbrough, Director and Founder of the REAL LIFE program, called Serio a bright and talented woman who takes pride in all she does. “We were incredibly fortunate to host Danielle through her internship here. She was professional, an excellent communicator and excelled in all assignments. I saw Danielle develop a passion for the Lifers (our clients) during her interactions with them. She was our first RMC intern and has set the bar high for others who follow.”

The EDGE + Faculty Support

The EDGE staff met with Serio to explore internship opportunities with various organizations. After they identified REAL LIFE as the right fit, they helped her to obtain an interview which ultimately led to her new assignment.

Serio also credits RMC Professor Denise Bissler (Sociology, Anthropology, Criminology) with helping students find internships and careers related to the field of Criminology. “She has always been supportive and oversaw this particular field study. She also offered guidance and encouragement throughout my experience.”

Future Goals

Serio’s internship at REAL LIFE helped solidify her future career path. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and study Forensic Psychology, then find similar work in that field. “My experience helped me apply my academic knowledge and taught me how to prioritize and be more organized. It gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and explore new areas such as navigating government websites, creating professional spreadsheets, and making professional calls on behalf of this organization. Overall, I feel more confident in my abilities and prepared for upper-level course work and to take on the future.”

The RMC EDGE 

RMC’s EDGE makes students’ futures a priority from their first day on campus and focuses on helping them apply their liberal arts education and integrating critical thinking and transferable skills with every student experience. This nationally ranked career services program provides full access to self-assessment, career exploration and personal and professional development tools that enable every student to apply their education with purpose, awareness and confidence. With help from extraordinary faculty and staff, students acquire a competitive advantage in reaching their career or graduate school goals.