Creating Pathways to Professions
The Valley Internship Experience Workgroup (VIEW) is made possible by a grant from the State Council for Higher Education (SCHEV) and is part of a state-wide Virginia Talent and Opportunities Pathways (V-TOP) initiative to expand paid and credit-bearing student internships and other work-based learning opportunities in collaboration with Virginia employers. V-TOP facilitates the readiness of students, employers and institutions of higher education to participate in internship and work-based learning.
The VIEW is developing strategies to significantly increase the number of internship and work-based learning programs currently available in the Shenandoah Valley (GO Virginia Region 8).
![Map of VIEW service area](/economicdevelopment/_images/view-map.png)
Why this Initiative?
Simply put, the data shows that we are not doing enough to encourage students to live and work in Virginia after they graduate. This is where the V-TOP initiative helps by giving students deep roots in Virginia’s business community prior to graduation.
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Less than 50% of Virginia graduates completed undergraduate internships.
- SCHEV, October 2021
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The top concern of Virginia businesses surveyed is access to necessary talent.
- Blueprint Virginia 2025,
Virginia Chamber of Commerce
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More than 50% of Virginia graduates who completed an internship said it helped them receive a better job offer.
- SCHEV, October 2021
Upcoming Featured Events
VIEW Internship Hour Webinars:
Internships – Getting Started & Next Steps
Third Wednesday of Every Month | 12-1pm | Online
Virginia Intern Day
Thursday, July 25 | 11:30am - 1pm
Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg
Shenandoah Valley Internship Symposium
Wednesday, August 14 | 9am-12pm
Mary Baldwin University, Staunton
Shenandoah Valley Internship Symposium
Thursday, November 7
Laurel Ridge Community College, Middletown
More details coming soon.