What are the responsibilities and job description for the SVRA Research and Data Analysis Intern position at INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED LEARNING AND RESEARCH?
ABOUT THE INTERNSHIPInterested in business, economics, or community development? Join the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) within the Economic Development division at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). This internship provides hands‑on experience supporting industry growth, analyzing regional trends, and helping attract new businesses to Southern Virginia. Under the mentorship of Linda Hutson Green, Executive Director of SVRA, interns will contribute meaningful research and outreach that supports economic advancement in the region.
WHAT YOU’LL DO• Collect, organize, and analyze data to support economic development initiatives
• Assist with social media content and publications to communicate key insights
• Support meetings, events, and industry outreach activities
• Prepare documents and presentations using Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and similar tools
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure accuracy in all data and communications
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN• Hands-on experience in economic research, data analysis, and regional development
• Insight into how communities attract new industries and support business growth
• Skills in professional communication, content creation, and public engagement
• Real-world experience collaborating with economic development professionals
PROGRAM DETAILS• Duration: 8 weeks
• Schedule: Approximately 28 hours per week, up to a maximum of 224 hours
• Compensation: $15 per hour / $3,360 total stipend
• Location: In-person at IALR (Danville, VA)
OTHER DETAILSIALR reserves the right to modify and/or cancel the internship program. Modifications may include a shortened timeframe with a pro‑rated adjustment to compensation, alternate assignments, or adjustments to work-site location. Internships are primarily in-person. The IALR Internship Program does not provide local housing or a housing allowance.
Qualifications:ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
•To be considered for the 2026 IALR Internship Program, applicants must meet ONE of the following criteria:
•Be a high school graduate (may be graduating Spring 2026) with plans to attend college in Fall 2026
•Be a current undergraduate or graduate student
•Be a recent college graduate (within the past 12 months)
INTERNSHIP TIMELINE
•Application Deadline: March 20, 2026 at 4:00 PM (EST)
•Candidate Interviews (Microsoft Teams): April 16–17, 2026
•Intern Selection Notifications: April 30, 2026
Please note: IALR internships are highly competitive, and not all applicants will be invited to interview.
MANDATORY PROGRAM DATES
•Intern Orientation (required for all interns): June 1, 2026 OR June 8, 2026
•Mandatory Internship Luncheon and Final Presentations: July 24, 2026
TIME COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS
•Interns must complete a total of 224 hours by August 10, 2026
•The internship is designed as an 8-week program served in consecutive weeks
•Interns are permitted ONE unpaid week off during the program
•Except for this one week, interns are expected to work continuously
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
All applicants must submit ONE letter of recommendation as part of the application process. The letter will be reviewed in addition to application responses. The letter must be received by March 20, 2026.
SUBMISSION OPTIONS
Letters of recommendation can be provided by email or address. The details are below:
Email:
hr@ialr.org
Mail:
ATTN: HR – Internship
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
LETTER REQUIREMENTS
The letter must include:
• The reference’s relationship to the applicant
• Length of time the reference has known the applicant
• Comments on the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the internship
• Any concerns that may prevent successful completion of the internship
Salary : $15