Power Up Internships with the WV Career Collaborative.

Abstract

Power Up Interns have been working since May 2025 as part of the WV Career Collaborative (WVCC), with 15 student participants (14 undergraduates and 1 high school student) in two cohorts to date. Three of the participants returned for a second internship.  Interns divide their time between three main areas: (1) STEM Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunity development, (2) general professional development including a Power Skills curriculum developed by the WV Jobs Network, and (3) WV Career Collaborative project support. The WVCC is a multi-faceted initiative led by Fairmont State University and Glenville State University to build connections between industry, faculty, K12 educators, students and other jobseekers with the goal of developing the STEM workforce in the service regions of Fairmont State and Glenville State.  Power Up Interns, contracted through High Rocks Educational Corporation and supervised by WVCC staff, have tested a variety of WBL opportunities such as job shadow opportunities, site visits, micro-internship and internship opportunities with regional businesses.  They have also assisted with the work of the WVCC, including marketing, virtual reality video production, career skills development and industry outreach.  All students interviewed agreed that this internship helped them feel more prepared for the workforce and improved their confidence in communication and teamwork.  The WVCC is funded by Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Grant #PW-21904-IM.