Valley Internship Experience Workgroup

Welcome, employers and community partners to

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

Virginia Intern Day!

Two events, 150 attendees, and countless new connections! Virginia Intern Day brought together students, employers, educators, and community partners from across the Shenandoah Valley to celebrate the power of internships and invest in the region's future workforce.

Our celebration at James Madison University welcomed 105 attendees, followed by 45 attendees at Laurel Ridge Community College. From engaging employer panels and meaningful networking opportunities to celebrating intern success stories, each event showcased the power of connecting talent with opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make Virginia Intern Day such a success. Your support continues to strengthen our region's workforce and inspire the next generation of professionals!

Company Spotlight :

Based in Winchester, Virginia, Blue Ridge Agents Insurance is an independent insurance agency built around one simple goal: helping people. Blue Ridge Agents Insurance began about 15 years ago with a focus on life insurance and continued to grow by building relationships and expanding its services. Today, Blue Ridge Agents Insurance helps clients with a variety of needs, including life, health, medicare, auto, homeowners, and supplemental insurance.

Testimonials Requested: Share how your Business has Benefitted from Interns

Has your business or organization benefited from hosting interns? We would love to hear about it and feature your success! Please complete this short form to provide a testimonial.  

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! 

Careers in the Valley video series:

“Careers In the Valley” is a new series where VIEW travels across the Valley, sitting down with professionals from different industries, and showing what career paths actually look like right here. The goal is simple: help students see the opportunities that exist in their own backyard.

Episode 3:  Laura Powell, Bridgewater Retirement Community

Shenandoah Valley Workforce Strategy Summit



Join employers, educators, workforce leaders, and regional partners on September 15 at Blue Ridge Community College for a collaborative conversation about building tomorrow’s workforce. Explore workforce trends, training opportunities, partnerships, and resources designed to strengthen recruiting and retention across the Shenandoah Valley.

Professional Development Scholarship Opportunities

Looking to expand your impact in work-based learning? The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) offers Professional Development Scholarships to eligible higher education professionals who support internships and career readiness. Scholarships of up to $2,500 can help cover conference attendance, professional organization memberships, and professional development training; providing valuable opportunities to grow your expertise while strengthening pathways from college to career. Learn more and apply at virginiatop.org.

Building Bridges: Mentorship in Action

The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) Career Readiness Mentoring program helps equip college students and recent graduates with the skills, guidance, and professional connections needed to successfully transition from the classroom to the workplace. Through meaningful mentorship, participants gain career insight, expand their networks, strengthen leadership skills, and build confidence for their future careers. Learn more by clicking the on "More information" and then scanning the QR code.

Micro-Internship Opportunity  

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), through the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP), has partnered with Parker Dewey to create the Virginia Micro-Internship Experience (VMIE). Through this program, students will work with Virginia-based employers via paid short-term professional projects, providing them with valuable real-world experience and the opportunity to explore potential career paths. 

Since the program’s launch on May 13, 2026 more than 95 students have been hired; gaining experiences in healthcare, STEM, law, communications, and more! 

Do you know an undergraduate student interested in participating in the VMIE? Learn more here: https://info.parkerdewey.com/student/va-experience. 

Are you a Virginia employer interested in hiring emerging talent? As part of this program, you can post projects and hire up to three micro‑interns to support project‑based work within your organization at no cost to you (first come, first served while seats remain). Learn more here: https://info.parkerdewey.com/employer/va-experience. 

Kickstart the Fall Semester! 🍂



Join us August 20 for a virtual session on mentoring strategies that make an immediate impact. Learn practical ways to strengthen mentorship and support student success this fall.

Summer & Fall Career/Internship Events & Fairs: 

September 10, 10am-2pm : Nurse Recruitment Day at James Madison University

September 15, 11am-2pm:Shenandoah Valley Workforce Strategy Summit at Blue Ridge Community College

September 16, 11am-3pm : CISE Career & Internship Fair at James Madison University

September 25, 10:30am-1:30pm : Career & Graduate School Fair at Southern Virginia University

September 29-30, 12-4pm : Career Fair at James Madison University

October 14, 11am-1:30pm : Career Fair at Virginia Military Institute

October 20, 5:30-7:30pm : Manufacturing Career Panel + Mini-Expo at James Madison University

November 4, 10am-1pm : HART Career & Internship Fair at James Madison University

November 5, 3-5pm : Faculty & Employer Meet-Up at Shenandoah University



Check the VIEW Events Calendar for additional events and details.