Campus internEXP program earns Top Virginia Employers for Interns award
Virginia Tech’s Campus internEXP program, facilitated by Career and Professional Development, was among 161 employers recently honored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) as the 2026 Top Virginia Employers for Interns.
These employers, which included five universities, were recognized for their efforts to establish high-impact, career-launching internships across Virginia. The annual award celebrates Virginia employers who provide hands-on experiences, direct access to senior leadership, structured mentorship, and industry certifications that equip students with real-world, in-demand skills.
Julia Ward, senior assistant director for Professional Development and Experiential Programs, manages the program. “Campus internEXP has seen tremendous growth since its launch five years ago,” Ward said. “Since fall 2021, the program has expanded from 18 internships to 104 in spring 2026. This growth reflects our commitment to building meaningful, paid internship opportunities for undergraduate students, which would not be possible without the many departments, offices, and units across campus who partner with us to hire interns. I am deeply grateful to our campus partners whose continued collaboration and support have made this expansion, and recognition, possible.”
The numbers for summer 2025, fall 2025, and spring 2026 are:
- Number of applications: 78 total jobs posted for applications, some hiring more than one student, and 2,064 applications submitted
- Number of positions in the program: 132
- Number of units, departments, and offices that hosted intern(s): More than 50
“We have been fortunate to secure multiple grants that have meaningfully contributed to Campus internEXP's success by enabling us to provide wage-matching funds to many of our campus partners,” said Matt Cowley, associate vice provost, Career and Professional Development. “This has directly led to a significant increase in on-campus internship opportunities. Beyond providing these critical resources, however, I am proud of the work we do to ensure that every student has the learning infrastructure attached to their internship to help them make meaning of their experience. In higher education, we talk a lot about college students struggling to bridge the articulation gap, and Campus internEXP is explicitly designed to ensure Virginia Tech students are well-prepared to demonstrate and articulate their value in the labor market.”
SCHEV will recognize these employers on July 30 in Richmond during Virginia Intern Day, an annual celebration of student-interns, employers, and higher education partners advancing work-based learning.
Career and Professional Development provides services, programs, and resources that empower undergraduate and graduate students to discover and pursue meaningful opportunities that lead to a fulfilling career. From career coaching to events and online resources, there are endless opportunities for students to explore, gain experience, craft their definition of success, and take the next step toward achieving it.
Internships are a key component of many degree programs and an important part of Virginia Tech Advantage, the university’s commitment to ensuring all students have access to a full educational experience regardless of financial need.
They can also fulfill requirements for the Bridge Experience Program, which connects classroom learning to real-world professional environments through internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, or service learning. For many majors, completing a bridge experience is required for graduation as part of Virginia Tech’s commitment to experiential learning.
