Internships provide a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop critical skills and build a professional network. Whether you’re a high school or college student, IALR can connect you with paid opportunities in Southern Virginia.
“Internships give students the chance to explore career paths and gain skills that will set them apart in the job market.” — Kiana Dillard, Work-Based Learning Coordinator
How IALR Supports Interns
IALR partners with the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) to provide students with a wide range of resources and opportunities in the 15 localities in V-TOP Region 3:
- The Student Internship Toolkit: Practical guides to help you succeed every step of the way.
- Free Career Development Courses: Learn essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and professionalism.
- MajorClarity Access: High school students can explore career opportunities and find internships through this platform.
If you have an organization in V-TOP Region 3 with which you would like to intern, we can help you connect with them and inform them about all available resources.
Why Choose an Internship?
- Hands-On Experience: Apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
- Build Your Résumé: Gain valuable experiences that stand out to future employers.
- Expand Your Network: Connect with professionals in your field of interest.
- Explore Careers: Internships allow you to test different paths before committing.
Common Internship Questions
Internships have no minimum hour requirement, but it is best practice to work a minimum of 10-15 hours a week. For full-time opportunities, interns can work up to 40 hours.
All of the opportunities supported by IALR and V-TOP are paid. Hourly rates may vary by employer and the nature of the internship. Internships in general can be unpaid, but paid opportunities are best practice.
Yes, as long as the employer is within the 15 localities of VTOP Region 3 and meets eligibility requirements. If you and the employer is outside of our region, check the VTOP website for the regional coordinator that services your area.
Start Your Internship Journey Today
Take the first step toward an exciting career path by completing our Student Interest Form.
Intern at IALR
IALR also offers a variety of summer internship opportunities across displines like information technology, agricultural research, coding and robotics, communications and more.
Host an Intern at Your Organization
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) support businesses in Southern Virginia through every step of the internship process for interns—from creating a program structure to obtaining funding to onboarding qualified candidates.
