I Moved to Virginia for College and Stayed for My Career
Virginia is full of friendly faces, scenic drives and boundless opportunities for young professionals looking to make an impact on their community. Two individuals who relocated to the state to attend college in Virginia share what inspired them to stay after graduation to pursue careers and settle down.
Victoria Beahm relocated in 2003 to go to Bridgewater College and now serves as assistant director of alumni relations, events and operations at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg. Amanda Cervantes made the move to Virginia in 2010 to attend Virginia Tech and recently took on a new role as business investment manager for the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance in Danville.
Where did you relocate from and what encouraged you to move to Virginia for college?
Beahm: I was born and raised in Carroll County, Maryland, and when I was looking at colleges, I was drawn to the Shenandoah Valley. I looked at James Madison University and Bridgewater College, but I ended up at Bridgewater because of the school’s liberal arts feel. I came from a really small town, so it felt more my speed.
Cervantes: I’m originally from West Springfield, Massachusetts. I had wanted to be an architect since middle school, so I researched the top 10 architecture programs in the United States and narrowed them down. I went to a summer camp at Virginia Tech during high school, fell in love, applied early and here we are.
What made you want to stay in the area after graduation? How did attending college in Virginia help prepare you for your career?
Victoria Beahm
Beahm: Even though my family was based in Maryland, I felt a strong connection to this area from the beginning. I was building my own life and career, but I was still close enough to home to see family whenever I needed to. In college, I volunteered in human resource management to get a feel for whether I wanted to take that route. We did a lot in our business cohort – a lot of marketing projects with a local television station. That’s when I realized I wanted to take a more marketing-oriented route.
Cervantes: Danville is a small town that I took a chance on. I came from a really big place where, unless you knew the right people and you were well-connected, you couldn’t do anything. Here, I was able to take an internship and immediately connect with the right people. That basically turned into a job.
The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that when someone presents a problem, you don’t need to know the answer immediately, but you’d better know either how to figure it out or who your first three phone calls are to when that conversation is over.
What did your career trajectory look like after graduating?
Beahm: My first job out of college was in banking, which gave me a solid foundation in business operations and customer service. Not long after, I transitioned into senior living, a field that became my home for nearly 13 years. When an opportunity came along to advance my career at James Madison University in 2023, I took it, and it’s turned out to be one of the most fulfilling decisions I’ve made.
Cervantes: I worked in architecture for 10 years following college. I started in a very technical role that progressed into more of a client managerial role. Now, just within the past year, I’ve pivoted into economic development, which feels more similar than one would think. What I loved about architecture was the understated impact that our designers and builders have on the community.
What do you love about living in Virginia?
Beahm: Beyond professional growth, the Shenandoah Valley has proven to be an incredible place to live and raise a family. From local festivals and JMU football games to shopping at small businesses and volunteering, we’ve found so many ways to be part of the life of this region.
Amanda Cervantes
Cervantes: People are really invested in our community, and it shows. It doesn’t matter if you are an intern who’s still in school, a new graduate or an expert in your field for 30 years, the community will always welcome people who care about the area and want to make it a great place to live and work.
What’s next on the horizon for you in the community?
Beahm: I plan to tackle my master’s at JMU. Hopefully, within the next year or so, I will start that process. We’re rooted here, and we’re not going anywhere. Even my Maryland family and friends have come to really love this area; we’re the ones everyone comes to visit, which is so nice.
Cervantes: We bought 18 acres, my husband planted over 100 fruit trees and we’re saving to build a house, so we’re staying in the area. For all intents and purposes, I’m a Southern Virginian forever.
This article is sponsored by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.