The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia again recognized the City of Roanoke as Virginia’s Top Employer for Interns.
For the fourth consecutive year, Roanoke’s internship program has received statewide recognition for providing meaningful, high‑quality learning opportunities for Roanoke City students and playing a vital role in the development of local talent.
Each year the City of Roanoke places college-age students in internships that enable them to contribute to projects, support daily operations and help advance programs and systems that serve the community. The City targets Virginia students for these opportunities. Some 40 percent to 60 percent come back to Roanoke to work for the City during school breaks or as full-time employees after graduation.
In 2025, the City hosted thirteen paid interns from nine colleges and universities. Students worked in City departments aligned with their academic interests and career goals, including the City Manager’s Office, Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Human Resources, Department of Technology, Purchasing and the City Attorney’s Office.
Through these experiences, students gained valuable professional skills, earned academic credit and built strong relationships with their peers and City staff. In turn, the City strengthened its talent pipeline, increased organizational capacity, deepened partnerships with higher education institutions in the region, and benefited from the creativity, curiosity and emerging expertise of the interns.
