Thrilled to be included in the 2024 Top Virginia Employers for Interns Awards.
We are honored to be recognized for our work exposing college, high school, and middle school students to a career in architecture through our various education outreach programs. This outreach started many years ago with Ray working with Albemarle High School drama students to design and build sets for their plays and musicals. He set the culture in our office to mentor future generations, and we have continued the work for decades.
Some of the ways we reach out include the ACE mentorship program, On the Road Collaborative, CATEC (working with their foundation to design a LEED certified house), MTC, classes and presentations with NEED (National Energy Education Development), Rocktown Energy Festival, LEGO league, Young Architect, CSI, Virginia AIA Mentorship program, and opening up space in our office for job shadow and internships. We believe that finding your passion is the best path to a meaningful career and testing the waters early is a great first step.
Our industry also requires years of internships for all of our team as they move through the process to get licensed. We have the best group of interns ever in our office right now. Thanks to them for all they do to learn and serve our clients!
Virginia employers recognized for internship programs
Contact: Bob Spieldenner
(804) 225-2628
bobspieldenner@schev.edu
April 1, 2024
Richmond – The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) today recognized 136 recipients of the 2024 Top Virginia Employers for Interns Awards.
The annual award celebrates Virginia employers who provide high-quality internships to students. Some of the noteworthy efforts of employers include exposing interns to senior leaders, structured mentorship programs, housing allowances, paid time off, security clearances and training for industry certifications.
“These employers deserve recognition for their innovative internship programs and helping students learn and grow,” said Alisha Bazemore, assistant director of innovative work-based learning initiatives at the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. “A meaningful internship can really boost career opportunities for students, and, at the same time, help strengthen Virginia’s workforce.”
More than 85% of the recipients provide paid internships, predominately in person during the summer. Approximately half of the awardees offer non-traditional internships, like those for students with disabilities, career switchers, veterans or active-duty military members transitioning to the workforce.
Recipients will be honored in different ways by regional internship collaboratives April 8-12. Events range from ice cream socials to a minor league baseball game. (A list of the events can be found here). V-TOP will host a statewide event in Richmond July 25 as the Commonwealth celebrates Virginia Intern Day, an occasion dedicated to honoring the engagement of employers, students, colleges and universities in work-based learning opportunities.
V-TOP is administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in partnership with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. It is funded by the General Assembly’s Commonwealth Innovative Internship Fund and Program.
Region 8 honorees include:
Appalachian Conservation Corps
Bank of Clarke
City of Harrisonburg
Daikin Applied Americas Inc.
Dynamic Aviation
Gaines Group Architects
Howard Shockey & Sons, Inc.
James Madison University Recreation (UREC)
JMU Dining (Aramark)
Juice Works 3D | Digital Maker Academy
Rockingham County Public Schools
Trex Company
Valley Automation, Inc.
Yount, Hyde, and Barbour, P.C.
