Onward NRV Starts Fifth Year of NRV Experience

Onward New River Valley kicked off their annual NRV Experience summer internship program on Tuesday, June 11th. Virginia Tech Associate Vice Provost for Career and Professional Development Dr. Matthew Cowley welcomed this year’s cohort at the NRV Experience kickoff event held at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. He spoke to attending interns about the importance of networking and gave them a chance to learn how to develop their skills by interacting with fellow participants. Fourteen employers in the New River Valley have enrolled 42 interns to participate in the fifth annual NRV Experience program.

Throughout the eight-week program, interns will participate in career development sessions taught by professionals from around the region. The topics include networking, personal branding, community building, volunteerism, teamwork, mental wellness, critical thinking, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The NRV Experience will give participating interns the opportunity to discover if the NRV is a natural fit for them after graduation. Onward NRV collaborates with local tourism directors and economic developers from each locality to showcase the region’s amenities to the interns. The attendees will spend the next several weeks exploring Pulaski County, Floyd County, Giles County, Montgomery County, and the City of Radford through excursions designed to highlight each community.

The NRV Experience is a summer curriculum designed to support employer internship programs by providing opportunities for interns to experience the full benefits of living and working in the New River Valley. The goals of the program are to increase the number of young professionals living and working in the NRV post-graduation, expose participants to the wide variety of cultural, recreational, and outdoor amenities available in the region, and provide interns with professional development training. Through this program, Onward NRV helps employers build an effective talent pipeline in the NRV’s Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Unmanned Systems, and Food Processing & Agribusiness industries.

Watch the reel here.

Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.