Creating Pathways to Professions
The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership - Valley Internship Experience Workgroup (VTOP-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 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 V-TOP 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).
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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.

Less than 50% of Virginia graduates completed undergraduate internships.
- SCHEV, October 2021

The top concern of Virginia businesses surveyed is access to necessary talent.
- Blueprint Virginia 2025,
Virginia Chamber of Commerce

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
VTOP-VIEW Internship Hour Webinars:
Internships – Getting Started
Third Wednesday of Every Month | 12-1pm | Online
VTOP-VIEW Tap into Talent Working Sessions
Upcoming Sessions:
February 20 | 2-4pm
Harrisonburg Innovation Hub, Harrisonburg
March 17 | 1-3pm
Shenadoah University HIVE, Winchester
Valley Internship Connect
March 26 | 5-7pm
Harrisonburg Innovation Hub, Harrisonburg
Learn more and register for Employers