“Take advantage of all that Randolph-Macon College has to offer—socially, academically and especially regarding career development,” says Mark Heideman ’16.

Heideman has done just that during his four years at RMC, working hard in and out of the classroom while taking the time to enjoy campus life.

Preparation: Internships and The Edge
At RMC, the computer science major and engineering physics minor studied hard, played for the Yellow Jackets baseball team during his freshman year, and did an internship. He also took advantage of The Edge, RMC’s career preparation program, throughout his four years at the college. Heideman met often with Edge staff, and in 2016 he attended the Edge Boot Camp, an intensive two-day program in which students learn to identify their career passions, tell their story and hone their interview and communication skills to prepare for success after college.

“Boot Camp provided me with great interview practice and insight into the professional world,” he says. “Also, thanks to The Edge, I participated in an internship at SkyBOX, Inc. in Doral, Florida during January Term (J-term) of my senior year.” Heideman worked with the IT department developing new databases for the company’s web site. “The CEO of SkyBOX, Paul V. Gartlan ’81, was extremely generous in guiding me through with the internship, and the experience really shed light on the generosity and the ‘giving back’ attitude of the Randolph-Macon alumni community.”

From College to Career
After graduation, Heideman will begin a career with Blue Triangle Technologies in Mechanicsville, Virginia as a software quality assurance manager.

To prepare for the job-application process, “I met with Cathy Rollman, director of professional development for The Edge, to polish my résumé, go over cover letters, and discuss potential job opportunities,” says Heideman. “One of these opportunities was a posting on the Edge web site, with a starting date the Monday of exam week. I wouldn’t have applied to it if it weren’t for Ms. Rollman’s encouragement; she told me that start-dates are often negotiable. I took her advice and applied for the job, and I’m excited about starting my career right after graduation.”

Heideman says the best thing about being a Yellow Jacket is the feeling that comes with being part of the Randolph-Macon community.

“Knowing that so many people truly care about you and want to help you succeed is invaluable,” he says.