Forty-six students from Danville and Pittsylvania County have begun paid summer internships with 23 host sites. The positions span local businesses as well as public-sector workplaces, giving participants ages 14-18 first-hand exposure to in-demand careers while strengthening the region’s future talent pipeline.

“Internships are a win-win: students gain real-world experience, build new skills and test career paths before graduation while employers benefit from fresh ideas and an emerging talent pipeline,” said Kiana Dillard, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).

This year’s program is the result of a close partnership between IALR, Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools. These internship programs are part of IALR’s broader commitment to connecting students to careers.

Before reporting to their internships, participants:
  • Completed résumé and cover-letter workshops
  • Earned a general employability/soft skills micro-credential through MajorClarity. (Returning interns mastered V-TOP’s Student Internship Toolkit)
  • Networked with internship hosts and other program participants and helped recognize the 2025 Region 3 Virginia TOP Employers for Interns Award Recipients at an Internship Reception
  • Participated in a three-day boot camp led by Pathfinders Resources that sharpened soft skills such as interview etiquette, teamwork and financial literacy.

How IALR Supports Employers

“At IALR we provide personalized consultation services for employers who want to host interns but aren’t sure what an internship entails,” said Dillard.

The IALR team supports employers with internships, helping them scope projects, write job descriptions, match with qualified candidates and provide day-to-day mentoring resources. Monthly virtual “Talent Plug” sessions, turnkey toolkits and on-call recruiting assistance ensure that even first-time hosts can launch productive, well-structured programs.

 

 

Internship Funding at a Glance

Eligible businesses in Danville and Pittsylvania County can host high school interns with 100% of the stipend cost covered. High school internships in these localities are covered by funding from the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Eligible businesses throughout Virginia with 150 employees or fewer can access funds to cover 50% of the costs (including wage and other related expenditures such as uniforms, transportation and housing- if offered) for college level interns through the V-TOP Matching Funds Program

This summer’s participating high school internship host businesses include
  • Abercrombie Physical Therapy
  • Boys & Girls Club of Danville
  • Dan River Nonprofit Network
  • Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History
  • Danville Public Schools (interns are working at several different schools and locations)
  • Danville Science Center
  • Danville Sheriff’s Office
  • Glitz & Glamour Boutique
  • Innovations Academy of Beauty
  • LE&D
  • Pittsylvania Co. Public Library System (Brosville/Cascade, Gretna, and Mt. Hermon Branches)
  • Smokestack Theatre Company
  • Spitzer Incorporated

With the groundwork laid, interns are already immersing themselves in real projects, from process-improvement initiatives to customer-engagement campaigns. IALR and its partners will continue to provide support throughout the summer and welcome additional employers and students to explore future internship opportunities that build confidence, career skills and community connections.