Valley Internship Experience Workgroup

Welcome, employers and community partners to

Virginia Talent & Opportunity Partnership—VIEW’s Monthly Newsletter!

Nominate a Virginia-based Employer as a 2025 "Top Virginia Employers for Interns"

The Commonwealth seeks to recognize the "Top Virginia Employers for Interns" and their role in providing work-based learning opportunities to students through its fourth annual award program.

Complete this form and submit for consideration by February 28, 2025 so that your business or organization can be considered for this distinction. All Virginia-based employers offering internships, regardless of size and sector are eligible to be nominated. The nomination form should take 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

State-level recognition and award notification will take place by April 1, 2025, and regional events will occur after the notification in April or May.

The 2025 recipients will also be recognized during a special event on Virginia Intern Day (July 31, 2025).

Save the Date! Valley Internship Connect - March 26 | 5-7pm

Join us on March 26 at the Harrisonburg

Innovation Hub for Valley Internship Connect!

Are you a Shenandoah Valley employer seeking one or more students for summer 2025 internships? Are you (or do you know) a student looking for a 2025 summer internship in the Shenandoah Valley?

If you can answer “yes” to either question, this event is for you!

Join us for this drop-in networking event that will connect employers with students in the Shenandoah Valley who are looking for an internship opportunity.

Bridging the Gap: Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s Success Story With V-TOP

Written by Kyle Meyer - Virginia Main Street

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) was established with the aim of revitalizing the downtown historic district into the economic and social heart of the city. Led by the board of directors and Executive Director, Andrea Dono, the nonprofit organization plays a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics, functionality, and atmosphere of downtown public spaces while also providing essential support to local small business owners.

However, achieving these objectives requires substantial financial and human resources for both operations and programming. Like many grassroots nonprofit organizations, HDR faced a common challenge: bridging the gap between its aspirations and available resources. Although HDR had previously implemented an internship program focusing on event planning and marketing responsibilities, sustaining the program proved difficult due to funding constraints.

In a stroke of serendipity, Andrea discovered a valuable resource that helped address this challenge by covering half of the interns’ wages. While tuning in to the local NPR news station, she learned about the Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP), an initiative dedicated to collaborating with employers to cultivate internship opportunities for Virginia students, with the state’s higher education institutions playing a central role.

After collaborating with the regional coordinator based at James Madison University (JMU), Andrea applied to participate in the program and completed the requisite training modules online. She found the modules to be comprehensive and user-friendly, with assignments guiding participants through tasks such as drafting job descriptions and formulating interview questions. Covering topics ranging from onboarding to performance management, the modules would prove particularly beneficial for those new to establishing internship programs.

In January, HDR welcomed two paid interns—one focusing on events and the other on marketing—thanks to the V-TOP program.

“I definitely recommend this program. While the funding was crucial for us, the additional administrative support and the quality of the training materials were exceptional.”

Andrea Dono, HDR Executive Director

The V-TOP is rolling out regional support services for employers, students, and institutions of higher education. To explore work-based learning support in your area, simply select your county or city on the interactive map or refer to the Regional Resources section on the Virginia TOP website.

Intern Spotlight: Meet Noussaiba Garti

V-TOP Matching Funds Grant

Are you a small to mid-size employer?

Interested in finding out if you qualify for the V-TOP matching grants fund?

Start by completing the V-TOP Employer Pre-Screening form today!

Learn more by attending a webinar hosted by V-TOP about the Staffing Agency Services & Matching Funds, held twice/month, 10-11am. Check the VTOP Events site to register.

Upcoming Events

VTOP-VIEW Internship Hour Webinar

Third Wednesday of Every Month | 12-1pm

Online

Did you know that interns are a good source of new talent for your business? Interns can offer new perspectives, knowledge and techniques to address business challenges and projects. Find out how to get started with hosting interns in this interactive session. Bring your questions!

VTOP-VIEW Tap into Talent Working Session

Upcoming Sessions:

February 20 - Harrisonburg Innovation Hub | 2-4pm

$30,000 for your small business or non-profit organization! Interested? If your business has less than 150 employees and meets other requirements, you may qualify for intern wage matching funds. Complete required training by attending an in person working session.

Have a session location in mind? We are seeking locations throughout the Shenandoah Valley to hold in person working sessions. Contact Mary Sullivan if you would like to host a session or have an idea of a location in your area. 540-568-5568, sullivmx@jmu.edu

Upcoming Career Fairs

Colleges and Virginia Career Works are gearing up for spring career fairs. Check the VIEW Events Calendar for details.

• BRCC Healthcare Job Fair - January 28, 12-2pm at Blue Ridge Community College

• Shenandoah County Job Fair - February 6, 1-4pm at Shenandoah County Library

• JMU College of Integrated Science and Engineering February 11, 1am-3pm at James Madison University

• JMU Hart School (Hospitality Management, Sports & Recreation Management) February 12, 10am-1pm at James Madison University

• JMU University Career Fair - February 18 & 19 at JMU

• Winchester Job Fair - February 20 & 25 at Handley Library

• JMU Teacher Recruitment Day - February 27, 9:30am-4pm at James Madison University

• Bridgewater Career & Internship Fair - March 5, 10am-1pm at Bridgewater College

• Southern Virginia University Career Fair - March 6, 1-4pm at Southern Virginia University

• Woodstock Career Fair - March 13, 1-6pm at Woodstock Armery

• Rockbridge County Career Fest (middle school) - March 18 & 19 - Rockbridge County

• Mary Baldwin Career Fair - March 20 at Mary Baldwin University

• Winchester Job Fair - March 20 at Bowman Library

• BRCC Career Expo - March 25, 12-2pm at Blue Ridge Community College

• Valley Internship Connect - March 26, 5-7pm at Harrisonburg Innovation Hub

• Shenandoah University Career & Internship Fair - March 27, 2-5pm at Shenandoah University

• Shenandoah County Job Fair - April 3, 1-4pm at Shenandoah County Library

• Winchester Job Fair, April 17 at Handley Library

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