J-Term at Randolph-Macon Academy is more than just a break from the routine. It is a chance to step into the real world, to test interests and career exploration, build professional skills, and discover what a future career might actually feel like.
At our private boarding school, R-MA believes that education should extend beyond textbooks. J-Term internships give students that opportunity. Whether observing surgeries, working in law firms, managing bakery operations, or producing marketing campaigns, cadets spend this time learning by doing.
And in the process, they grow, not just professionally, but personally.
Medicine in Action
For Ylannah, J-Term meant stepping inside operating rooms and medical consultations. She completed her internship at Chesapeake Plastic Surgery and Valley Health Surgery Center, observing procedures from microneedling and Botox injections to tendon repairs.
“It is way more hands-on than being in school, and I get to learn from professionals in their field about what they do for a livelihood,” she shared.
Following the surgeons and nurses gave her a clearer picture of her future. “I want to go into medicine, and this was a great way to learn about different types of doctors and compare the differences between them.”
More than technical exposure, the experience deepened her understanding of responsibility and career exploration. “It made me think more about patient care and that these patients rely on you for their safety.”
Law, Leadership, and Professional Presence
Obehi spent his J-Term in Charleston, South Carolina, observing civil court cases and researching violations of gag orders at a law firm.
“I mainly observed and took notes on civil cases,” he explained. But beyond the paperwork, the experience broadened his perspective: “It made me realize that there are so many different opportunities within law as a career.”
He also developed professional communication skills. “I learned how to speak to very important people effectively and take notes throughout.”
The internship offered more than exposure; it offered clarity. “It meant a chance to discover what I wanted out of a future career and imagine myself in it for a while.”
Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship
Across the globe in Mongolia, Tsasangoo interned as a barista at a café located in his father’s company building. What began as a customer service role quickly became a lesson in business operations.
“I strengthened my communication skills, time management, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment,” he reflected. “I also improved my multitasking skills by handling multiple orders at once while maintaining accuracy and cleanliness.”
One moment stood out: “I had to deal with a difficult customer… This experience stood out to me as teaching me patience and problem-solving skills in the real world.”
The experience sparked new interests. “It made me more interested in business-related fields, such as management and entrepreneurship.”
Meanwhile, Grant took a marketing-focused internship at a private dental center in Odessa, Ukraine, where he helped record surgeries, film advertisements, and collaborate with the marketing director.
“I learned a lot of things during this internship, meeting my main goal and gaining experience in marketing,” he wrote. “Starting from searching and ending with recording videos.”
From scripting to editing to planning release strategies, Grant experienced the creative and strategic side of brand development, skills that connect directly to areas like communications and performing arts, where storytelling and presentation matter.
Customer Service, Operations, and Ownership
At Tous Les Jours Bakery, Grace immersed herself in customer service, operations, and social media engagement. She tracked Google reviews, helped increase Instagram engagement, monitored revenue, and maintained strict cleanliness standards.
“My interpersonal skills definitely got practice during this internship,” she said.
She also discovered something about herself: “I learned that I like to be busy, and that learning and then applying what I learned was an interesting experience that I really enjoyed.”
Through customer conversations, sanitation routines, inventory management, and marketing analysis, she experienced firsthand how much effort goes into running a successful business.
Building Student Confidence Through Experience
What ties all of these internships together is growth. J-Term provides structured independence, the chance to operate in professional environments while still supported by the R-MA community.
Students return with stronger communication skills, sharper time management, and greater adaptability. They also return with something less tangible but equally important: student confidence.
They have spoken with surgeons, handled difficult customers, presented ideas to directors, and navigated professional spaces. They have tested themselves in real-world environments and succeeded.
At R-MA, J-Term internships reflect the Academy’s belief that leadership is learned through experience. By stepping into careers before college, students gain clarity about their interests and the courage to pursue them.
Would you like to explore academic opportunities at our private boarding school?
Contact R-MA for more information.