Maggie Smith ’10 is used to being in transit. The Annapolis, Maryland native has lived in Connecticut, Virginia, Belgium and Georgia, and she went to high school in Naples, Italy. Her current hometown is Oslo, Norway. She explains: “We are a military family, so we move every two to three years; right now, my hometown is Oslo,” she says.

Smith chose Randolph-Macon College because she was impressed by the community feeling that RMC offers as well as the internship/study abroad program, “both of which I have taken advantage of during my time here. The Admissions staff did a fantastic job of answering questions that I had and the enthusiasm they have for the school was contagious,” she says.

An Oslo Connection

Smith’s Oslo connection paved the way for her to participate in a 2010 J-term Bassett internship in the conservation department of the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo. “Working in the museum was perfect for my major—international studies, with an emphasis on the culture and society of Europe—and allowed me to learn about that beautiful country,” she says. Smith was in charge of locating museum objects for visitors doing research, but her favorite part of the internship was when researchers would visit. “I got to hear about their research projects, which was really interesting because they were experts in their field,” she says.

Work 101

For the past three years, Smith has worked in RMC’s Admissions office. “I work as an assistant to Anthony Ambrogi, the director of admissions and enrollment research,” she says. “I prepare applications for counselors and I help with events such as Accepted Students Day. Talking to prospective students and keeping up with them through the application process is one of the favorite parts of my job.”

Life at Disney World

In addition to her work in Oslo, Smith did another internship in a most unusual place. “From January to August 2009 I interned at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, as part of RMC’s Disney College Program,” she says. “Growing up, we moved around a lot, but we always made it back to Disney World or Disneyland Paris. I always half-joked that one day I would work at Disney. I worked as a character attendant and escorted Disney characters, assisted guests and took photographs.”

The Disney College Program has apartment complexes for interns to live in while they are working. “Living with fellow cast members gave me the chance to meet students from all over the world,” says Smith. “I did the program with Ashlyn McKeel ‘10, and our adventures living and working together made the whole experience that much more rewarding. It is awesome to have someone on campus who has shared the same experiences!” Smith remained a full-time student while in Florida. “The program offers skill-building workshops such as résumé writing and classes on leadership, much like the Career Services office at RMC,” she says.

Making Plans

After working closely with entertainment managers, Smith decided that a career with the Walt Disney Resort might be worth pursuing. “When the program ended last August, I decided that it was not yet time for this book to close,” she says. “I applied for another internship and will be returning back to Disney World this August to work again. I would love to get a position in management in the theme parks. That would be my dream job.”

About the Bassett Internship Program

The Bassett Internship Program is dedicated to providing a real-world backdrop for future academic learning, as well as preparation for life after graduation. With a history of placements in over 1,100 sites in more than 20 states, Washington, D.C., and 11 foreign countries, students get an opportunity to explore the world of work.

For more information about the breadth of programs and opportunities available at Randolph-Macon or to schedule a campus visit, contact our Admissions Office at 800.888.1762 or at admissions@rmc.edu.