Contact:
Bob Spieldenner         
bobspieldenner@schev.edu
(804) 718-9443 (cell)   

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) today released an analysis {link} that examines some of the barriers to internships in Virginia and highlights how non-traditional approaches can help meet student needs while strengthening the Commonwealth’s workforce.

Nationwide, college students report that insufficient pay, time constraints, course load and existing employment are some of the barriers to finding workplace learning opportunities. The biggest challenge is the lack of internship opportunities. For the 542,000 students enrolled in Virginia’s colleges and universities, only 15,098 internship job postings were available in the Commonwealth during the 2024-25 academic year.

With limited opportunities, multiple barriers and increasing competition for traditional internships, the Commonwealth and its employers need to redefine work-based learning and expand the types of experiences available to students.

Employers and institutions should explore the use of project-based learning and micro-internships. Project-based learning activities, with a focus on real-world, employer-identified problems, help build students’ skills and career readiness to enter the workforce. Micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments. Like a traditional internship, micro-internships expose students to the workplace and allow them to gain real-world experience

These opportunities can give students valuable work-based learning while mitigating the barriers of time or finances for many students.

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The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is the state’s coordinating agency for higher education. Media resources, including news advisories, logos and releases, are available at www.schev.edu/media.