Valley Internship Experience Workgroup

Welcome, employers and community partners to

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

Join us Next Week at 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.

Register to Attend

Curious about who else is attending?

Click the link below to see which companies are already registered:

Current Company Registrations

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.

Business Spotlight: YHB CPAs & Consultants

YHB CPAs & Consultants is a regional public accounting firm established in 1947 and headquartered in Winchester. With ten offices in D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland, the growing company currently has more than 435 employees and is looking to expand further into Maryland.

Lilly Adam, campus recruiter for YHB, expressed her love for the company’s incredible culture and says it is unlike any other workplace she has experienced. They have a large group of people who love working for YHB and think of themselves as the “for-lifers" of the company. Interns get to experience this amazing community and network with people who could likely be future coworkers.

YHB has an extensive 8-week internship program that is expanding this year. When interns arrive, they choose between an audit path and a tax path to focus their internship efforts. There are also internships in corporate roles like HR, IT, and Finance. Every intern gets a mentor and a buddy. Their mentor is a person with a longer-standing relationship with the firm. Interns meet with their mentors weekly or bi-weekly and go to them for performance feedback. On the other hand, buddies are people typically in their first year with the firm at an associate-level position. This gives interns a good look into the future. Interns can ask their buddy any and all questions they may have and buddies act as their first point of contact.

Interns also have a project they work on throughout their internship. On the first day, they get into groups of 5-6 people and are given a project. At the end of their 8 weeks, interns present their projects and anything they have proposed or expressed is then taken very seriously by YHB to evaluate how intern feedback can make a difference within the company. This consideration sets YHB’s internship program apart from other programs. Along with that, their growth and opportunities offered to interns allow this program to help interns grow personally and professionally. For example, HR interns, specifically, can conduct interviews for possible interns when they feel comfortable.

YHB treats the internship like an entry-level job with interns working Monday through Thursday in a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as a learning opportunity. The internship program is a huge pipeline for the company's associate class as the majority of interns go on to be employed full-time.

The YHP internship program is incredible opportunity that sets up students for future success.

Intern Spotlight: Meet Sydney Krough

Do you have an intern and want to highlight their success? Have them fill out this form to be featured on V-TOP—VIEW’s social media and in our newsletter! 

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!

Register

VTOP-VIEW Tap into Talent Working Session

Upcoming Sessions:

• April 18, 9-11 am | Blue Ridge Community College, Houff Student Center

$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. 

Register

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   

Multiple virtual training sessions are also available through the VTOP state office: VTOP Virtual Employer Module Session

Upcoming Career Fairs

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

• Mary Baldwin Career Fair - March 19 & 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