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The 757 Regional Internship Collaborative will host its inaugural Internship Summit on March 28, bringing together regional institutions of higher education and employers to raise awareness of work-based learning opportunities.

The summit invites high school students, college students and student veterans, along with people participating in workforce training, career readiness or certification programs, to learn about the opportunities available across Hampton Roads. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chartway Arena in Norfolk.

Breakout sessions will address interviewing techniques, the importance of mentorships and top industries in the region. The event will include a panel discussion in which high school and college students will share their internship experiences. Students can visit employer booths to learn about internship opportunities.

The 757 Regional Internship Collaborative, co-led by 51�鱨վ and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC), is funded by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The collaborative, which aims to increase paid internships and other work-based learning opportunities in Hampton Roads, is part of a statewide effort to train Virginia’s future workforce and boost its economy.

Fewer than 50% of Virginia graduates completed undergraduate internships, according to data produced by SCHEV in October 2021. Virginia businesses surveyed by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce noted access to talent was the top concern.

At the high school level, internship opportunities are less common. A 2020 study by American Student Assistance, a nonprofit that helps students obtain college degrees, cites a recent survey showing only 2% of high school students had completed internships. The collaborative hopes to better connect high schools, colleges and employers to address the need for work-based learning.

“The 757 Internship Collaborative brings higher education and industry together for the benefit of the entire region – our students, employers, institutions and residents,” said Brian Payne, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of interdisciplinary studies at 51�鱨վ. “We are committed to playing an active role in developing and retaining a diverse and highly trained workforce today and into the future.”

“The Hampton Roads Workforce Council is pleased to help present the 2023 Internship Summit, the first of what we anticipate will be an annual congregation of businesses seeking interns with a large collection of high school and collegiate candidates, all against a backdrop of sharing best practices and lessons learned from experts in this arena,” said Whitney Lester, HRWC senior director of talent development. “This chance to showcase a broad array of intriguing internship opportunities at prominent local firms to tomorrow’s business leaders is not to be missed.”

is free for students; employers participating in the internship fair can register for $75 by March 14.