The May 2025 edition of IALR at a Glance is packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
- Registration is now open for Summer STEM Camps!
- Fourth Annual ATDM & AM CoE Summit recap
- Watch updates from IALR
- Much more!
AspHIRE Mock Interview Day
25 Danville Students Participate in AspHIRE Mock Interview Day
On April 25, 2025, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) hosted the AspHIRE Mock Interview Day, providing a valuable opportunity for 25 high school students from Danville Public Schools to develop and refine their interview and workplace readiness skills. This event, part of the region’s effort to connect students to local career opportunities, was supported by IALR with additional support from local employers and professionals who volunteered their time.
Students participated in a series of mock interviews with local professionals, gaining insight into the expectations and nuances of the interview process. These hands-on experiences gave students a real-world understanding of the job application process, helping them to build confidence as they prepare to enter the workforce.
These Danville Public Schools students have applied for summer internships through the Danville Summer Experience Works Internship Program.
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A Day of Learning and Networking
In addition to the mock interviews, students engaged in work-readiness sessions covering important topics such as professionalism, time management, communication and personal branding. The event also included a networking luncheon, where students had the chance to meet and interact with local professionals and peers, further expanding their professional network.
“The AspHIRE Mock Interview Day continues to help students develop the skills necessary for success in the workplace,” said Jessie Vernon, Director of Employer Engagement and Experiential Learning at IALR. “We’re proud to support these students as they prepare for their careers and look forward to seeing the impact this experience has on their future professional journeys.”
AspHIRE Mock Interview Day is part of IALR’s ongoing efforts to provide career readiness opportunities through its EmPOWER framework. By connecting students with local professionals and offering hands-on learning experiences, IALR is helping to equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce.
IALR April 2024 Newsletter
The April 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
- REACH Partnership Improving Public Health
- Second GO TEC® Robotics Competition a Great Success
- 190 Student Participated in AspHIRE Mock Interview Day
- Partners Unite for Successful Family Literacy Night at IALR
- Much more!
190 Students Gain Interview Experience at AspHIRE
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), Longwood University and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) offered AspHIRE Mock Interview Day 2024 to 190 high school students this Spring. Students participated in mock interviews and learned about professionalism and other important workplace skills with local professionals. Students came from 10 school divisions.
Volunteers interview high school students from Pittsylvania County Schools during an AspHIRE Mock Interview Day hosted at IALR in early March.
“The AspHIRE Mock Interview Day provides valuable experience to high school students across Southern Virginia, exposing them to important workplace skills and allowing them to experience an authentic interview process.” – Jessie Vernon, IALR Advanced Learning Program Manager
The event was organized by IALR and held on March 5 and 7 at IALR, on March 13 at Longwood University, and on March 26 at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. Local professionals volunteered their time to lead work-readiness sessions on topics like communication, personal branding, professionalism, company benefits and more. In total, 57 volunteers provided their time, serving as interviewers and providing employability skill sessions.
190 students participated in AspHIRE Mock Interview Day 2024, which was held at three different locations: Longwood University, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and IALR.
Students from the following school divisions participated:
- Amelia County Public Schools
- Brunswick County Public Schools
- Charlotte County Public Schools
- Danville Public Schools
- Halifax County Public Schools
- Lunenburg County Public Schools
- Mecklenburg County Public Schools
- Nottoway Public Schools
- Pittsylvania County Schools
- Prince Edward County Public Schools
A volunteer interviews a high school student as part of the AspHIRE Mock Interview Day hosted at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) on March 26. Photo courtesy of SVHEC.
AspHIRE Mock Interview Day allows students to build skills through a practice interview with a local professional and several employability skill sessions. Students participate in a “conference” style experience, network with peers and professionals at a professional lunch and attend breakout sessions. The first AspHIRE Mock Interview Day was held at IALR in 2019 for students in Danville and Pittsylvania County and was expanded to include additional partners in the subsequent years. AspHIRE is part of IALR’s EmPOWER framework that systematically connects students to careers.
IALR March 2024 Newsletter
The March 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…
- Supporting a Diverse Clientele with Analytical Chemistry Services
- Vice President of Institute Conference Center & Operations Announced
- Summer Internship Opportunities at IALR
- Angela Rigney Named Director of GO TEC
- Much more!
Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Businesses
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is seeking employers and businesses across Southern Virginia to partner and participate in work-based learning programs.
“We encourage employers across Southern Virginia to participate in our programs, which help employers grow the regional workforce and allow students to connect and learn about quality career opportunities in the region.” – Jessie Vernon, Advanced Learning Program Manager, IALR
Each of the programs below is part of IALR’s EmPOWER framework, an employer-driven system to empower and connect students to careers. Through career awareness, engagement and experience IALR builds pipelines of students whose skillsets align with current employer needs and economic development interests.
AspHIRE – Meet Your Future Workforce
IALR is looking for volunteers to participate as mock interviewers or session presenters at AspHIRE mock interview days across Southern Virginia. The mock interview days allow high school seniors – as well as some juniors – to hone their interview skills with a local professional. Students take part in a formal business lunch and several work-readiness sessions.
The AspHIRE Mock Interview Days will take place at the following locations and times:
- Danville, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research: March 5 and 7
- Farmville, Longwood University: March 13
- South Boston, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center: March 26
The minimum volunteer commitment is 1.5 hours, but business professionals and employers who would like to invest more time are welcome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Ignite – Internships
IALR is looking for businesses that can host a high school or college intern this summer. Companies will receive assistance in navigating the logistics of creating an internship program and finding talent. IALR also connects employers with available resources – including matching funds and mentor training – from partners like the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (Virginia TOP).
More than 25,000 students across Southern Virginia have access to MajorClarity, a work-based learning platform where all internships will be posted. This gives businesses access to the best and brightest students across the region. Internship duration and hours are customizable and companies may be eligible for matching funds for the cost of the intern.
Next generation Of Work (NOW) – Teamship
IALR is looking for businesses interested in having teams of students tackle a pressing business problem – a process that provides benefits for students and benefits for employers. The time commitment for businesses participating in NOW is just five hours; students are supported by a District C-certified coach.
Past business participants have posed problems such as staffing difficulties, EPA regulations, and the adoption of new technology.
Businesses meet with the students three times during the Teamship process and receive real solutions to their problems. The next cohort of NOW-Teamshp will begin April 8. Businesses that are interested in participating should contact Jessie Vernon no later than March 11.
Exploring Careers Through Industry Teacher Externships (Excite)
IALR is looking for businesses to host teachers or school counselors through Exploring Careers through Industry Teacher Externships (EXCITE), a professional development program for educators across 15 counties in Virginia. This teacher externship program connects the classroom to the workplace. Teachers can use their experiences to design and implement classroom activities, projects and work-based learning opportunities that will add relevance and meaning to students’ classroom learning.
Participating businesses commit between one and three days during the summer to host educators. There is no financial commitment associated with this program.
Businesses interested in hosting an educator this summer can contact Kiana Dillard. The deadline to sign up to host an educator is May 3.
Sector-Focused Camps
In addition to summer STEM camps hosted at IALR, IALR works with local employers to develop and implement sector-focused camps. These camps, which can range from a single day to a whole week, provide an opportunity to introduce students to targeted industries – and help them discover career paths to enter these fields.
Past sector-focused camps have focused on industries like local government, healthcare and construction.
Businesses that are interested in hosting student tours, serving as guest speakers/instructors, or sponsoring a sector-focused camp should contact Jessie Vernon.
Registered Apprenticeship
In partnership with IALR, the Danville Life Saving Crew – the primary Emergency Medical Services provider for the City of Danville – signed 13 individuals as Virginia’s first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) registered apprentices during an October ceremony.
IALR also supports the development and implementation of successful registered apprenticeship programs for employers across Southern Virginia through the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program. Registered apprenticeship is an industry-driven workforce training strategy that combines on-the-job training and classroom instruction to develop highly skilled employees in a particular occupation
State Registered Apprenticeship is ideal for various sectors like construction, healthcare, early childhood education, manufacturing and information technology.
Through ExTRA, IALR provides technical assistance in the creation of apprenticeship programs, grant funding, connections to employers and talent, and more.
Employers that are interested in apprenticeships should contact Natori Neal.
202 Students Participate in 2023 Mock Interview Days
IALR, Longwood University and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) collaborated to offer AspHIRE Mock Interview Day 2023 to 202 high school students this Spring. Tenth through 12th graders from six school systems participated in this event to hone their interview and employability skills with local professionals. Students came from Danville City, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Lunenburg, Nottoway Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward Counties.
“The AspHIRE mock interview day provides valuable experience to high school students across Southern Virginia, exposing them to important workplace skills and allowing them to experience an authentic interview process,” said Jessie Vernon, IALR Advanced Learning Program Manager.
The event was organized by IALR and held on April 7 and 26 at IALR, on March 29 at SVHEC, and on April 25 at Longwood University. Local employers led work-readiness sessions and served as mock interviewers. To make this event possible, 66 volunteers provided their time, serving as interviewers and providing employability skill sessions.
“The trip to Asphire was both informative and fun. It helped me widen my horizon about the working field and opened my eyes to new possibilities.” – King Catubig, Lunenburg County
“Something that was beneficial for me was learning to ask questions at the end of my interview.” – Chasity Robertson, Nottoway County.
AspHIRE Mock Interview Day is designed to give students an opportunity to build their skills through a practice interview with a local professional and several employability skill sessions. Students are given a “conference” style experience, networking with peers and professionals at a professional lunch and attending breakout sessions. The latter included topics on Benefits and HR Basics, LinkedIn and Indeed, Personal Brand and Presentation, Professionalism and Communication, Teamwork and Problem Solving, and Time Management and Work-Life Balance.
The first event was held at IALR in 2019 for students in Danville and Pittsylvania County and was expanded to include additional partners in the years since then.
IALR Seeking Businesses to Partner in Work-based Learning Programs
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is seeking employers and businesses across Southern Virginia to partner and participate in several work-based learning programs. With varying levels of time and financial commitments, these programs help employers grow the regional workforce and allow students to connect and learn about quality career opportunities in the region.
“We operate a variety of youth workforce development programs that are mutually beneficial to the participants and the businesses involved,” said Jessie Vernon, Program Manager for Advanced Learning at IALR. “Our programming helps build recruitment pipelines and exposes youth in the region to the opportunities available with area businesses. While we coordinate these programs, they truly would not be possible without the support of our business and community partners.”
Each of the programs below are part of EmPOWER, an employer-driven system to empower and connect students to careers. Through career awareness, engagement, and experience we can build pipelines of students whose interests and skillsets align with current employer needs and economic development interests.
Exploring Careers through Industry Teacher Externships (Excite)
IALR is looking for businesses to host teachers or school counselors through Exploring Careers through Industry Teacher Externships (EXCITE), a professional development program operating for educators across 15 counties in Virginia. By placing educators in local businesses through this teacher externship program, IALR helps connect the classroom to the workplace. With first-hand exposure, teachers can design and implement classroom activities, projects and work-based learning opportunities that will add relevance and meaning to students’ classroom learning.
Participating businesses commit between one and three days during the summer to host an educator. There is no financial commitment associated with this program.
Businesses interested in hosting an educator this summer can reach out to Jessie Vernon. The deadline to sign up to host an educator is May 19th.
IGNITE – Internships (already completed)
IALR is looking for businesses that can host a high school or college intern this summer. Companies will receive project/business support as they mentor and aid in the skill development of a young person and might just train their next hire.
More than 26,000 students across Southern Virginia have access to MajorClarity, a work-based learning platform where all internships will be posted. This gives businesses access to the best and brightest students across the region. Internship duration and hours are customizable and companies may be eligible for matching funds for the cost of the intern.
Those interested in hosting a summer intern at their business should complete this online interest form. The deadline to request a summer 2023 intern is April 28th.
AspHIRE – Meet Your Future Workforce (ALREADY COMPLETED)
IALR is looking for volunteers to participate as mock interviewers or session presenters at AspHIRE mock interview days across Southern Virginia. The mock interview days provide high school juniors and (primarily) seniors an opportunity to hone their interview skills with a local professional. In addition to their interview, students take part in a formal business lunch and six work-readiness sessions.
The AspHIRE Mock Interview Days will take place at the following locations and times:
- South Boston, Southern Virginia Higher Education Center: March 29 & 30
- Danville, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research: April 7 & 26
- Farmville, Longwood University: April 25
The minimum volunteer commitment is 1.5 hours, but business professionals and employers who would like to invest more time are welcome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
IALR May 2022 Newsletter
AspHIRE Mock Interview Day a Success
Adah Haley with American National Bank interviews a student at the AspHIRE Mock Interview event at IALR.
IALR, New College Institute (NCI) and the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) collaborated to offer AspHIRE Mock Interview Day 2022 to 200 high school students. Tenth through 12th graders from six school systems, ranging from Henry County to Charlotte County, participated in this event to hone their interview and employability skills with local professionals.
“I truly enjoyed the opportunity to learn about real-life interactions and situations I will encounter in the future,” said Layton Wilson, Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center Precision Machining Senior at Gretna High School. “Being there was a great experience, because I now feel a lot more confident going into the workforce.”
IALR, NCI and SVHEC each hosted the event at their respective locations. IALR welcomed students of Danville and Pittsylvania County on April 27-28; SVHEC served Halifax and Charlotte County students on April 27; and NCI hosted Martinsville and Henry County students on May 5. Local employers led work-readiness sessions and served as mock interviewers, and some even held real interviews to fill open positions within their company.
In addition to a 20-minute mock interview, students participated in a professional networking luncheon as well as work-readiness sessions. The latter included topics on Benefits and HR Basics, LinkedIn, Personal Brand and Presentation, Professionalism and Communication, Teamwork and Problem Solving, and Time Management and Work-Life Balance.
The first event was held at IALR in 2019 for students in Danville and Pittsylvania County and was expanded this year to include SVHEC and NCI.
