Randolph-Macon College students learned the importance of career planning and preparation at the seventh-annual EDGE Career Boot Camp. This hands-on workshop, facilitated by the EDGE Center for Career Development and 125 alumni, faculty, staff, and other connections to the college, took place February 8-9, 2019 at the Westin Richmond Hotel.

RMC President Robert R. Lindgren welcomed students to Boot Camp.

“Events like Boot Camp highlight the distinctive value of the Randolph-Macon College experience,” says Lindgren. “Mentored and supported by faculty, staff, and alumni and friend volunteers, students have the unique opportunity to develop skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. From building relationships, to practicing application and interviewing techniques, to refining their own personal mission statements, Boot Camp is an opportunity for students to invest in themselves as they prepare for their future.”

A Competitive Advantage
Boot Camp is an integral part of the EDGE, RMC’s four-year career program that provides students with a competitive advantage when applying for jobs or graduate school. A two-day immersion program, Boot Camp helps students identify their career passions and polish their interview and communication skills as they prepare for life after college.

During the fast-paced weekend, students developed their own elevator speech and “brand,” learned how to communicate with confidence, and identified their strengths and capabilities—all with the help of expert speakers and facilitators, including RMC alumni.

This year, 141 students participated in Boot Camp. In addition, six Boot Camp Ambassadors (students who participated in last year’s Boot Camp) and one student assistant helped make the weekend run smoothly.

Finding the EDGE
Participants attended workshops, formulated an “action plan” for career success, and engaged in simulated interviews. Breakout sessions included “LinkedIn/Social Media,” “Your Best Interview,” “Tell Your Story,” “Communication Styles,” and “Let’s Do Dinner: Dining Your Way to Success.” Business leaders gave career advice and shared their business expertise. A closing reception, with alumni and business leaders in attendance, offered students the opportunity to put into practice their networking skills.

Joshua Beeker ’20 (biology major and chemistry minor) says he was humbled to have the opportunity to speak with alumni in a professional setting.

“I was interviewed by the CEO of The Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, Linda Wilkinson ’91,” says Beeker. “That mock interview was an invaluable chance to connect with an alumna and develop critical skills as an interviewee. I have an edge in future job interviews because I chose to invest in myself at the EDGE Career Boot Camp.”

Keavy Baylor ’19 (international studies major; Spanish minor) says she’ll reap the rewards of Boot Camp for years to come.

“The skills I learned will help me when I step into the office or answer the phone call of a possible employer,” she says. “Learning how to tell my story and prepare properly for interviews instilled confidence in me and gave me a sense of pride in what RMC has taught me. I can’t wait to demonstrate this zeal to prospective employers.”

Growing and Flourishing
Dontrese Brown, executive director of the EDGE, says Boot Camp continues to grow and flourish.

“We continue to focus on supreme preparation for our students—equipping them with the right resources and tools to apply their education,” says Brown. “Our Boot Camp program continues to grow and transform the dynamics of higher education through our relentless effort to set each student up for success, now and post-graduation.”

The Randolph-Macon EDGE
At Randolph-Macon College, everything’s connected. Our curriculum challenges students; our EDGE Center for Career Development turns skills into action. With an extraordinary education and the help of faculty advisors, coaches, and alumni, preparation for success begins the moment students set foot on campus. And it never ends: The Yellow Jacket connection continues long after graduation. Alumni serve as mentors. Faculty continue to encourage and inspire. These partnerships last a lifetime.

The EDGE takes students from résumé-building to networking opportunities to careers. Yellow Jackets learn how to be leaders, thinkers, and communicators, and they can put it all into practice with a tailor-made internship—essential experience in today’s competitive world.