V-TOP subaward will help make George Mason’s top-ranked internship opportunities more accessible

In 2025, George Mason University came out on top for its commitment to increasing access to opportunity in two key rankings. U.S. News and World Report ranked George Mason University #1 in the state of Virginia for internships, and the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) named George Mason University to the highest tier of its list of Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings.

Critical to expanding the field of opportunities is University Career Services, which provides top-tier support for students, including critical scholarships to increase internship accessibility. And as a testament to their dedicated work, the office recently received a Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) subaward for $40,000 for continued development and expansion of internship programs.

Internships play a large part in career readiness. They give students a chance to test their skills in real-world situations while becoming comfortable in new office environments and navigating new responsibilities.

“Data shows that students who complete experiential educational activities are always more likely to be able to find career success in their first job,” said Matthew Myers, associate director of employer and alumni engagement and recipient of the subaward on behalf of University Career Services.

But one of the largest barriers for students interested in internships is the cost.  

“A lot of George Mason students are working while putting themselves through school,” said Myers. “Doing an unpaid internship might mean having to cut their hours or even quit the jobs that they need to provide for themselves and their families, without receiving supplemental income in return.”

To help give all students the opportunity to pursue an internship, University Career Services offers scholarships for students who take unpaid internships. The V-TOP subaward will, in part, support these scholarships.

“Part of our duty as a university is to provide students with opportunities. More opportunities mean better outcomes for them in both internships and future careers,” said Myers.

Myers noted that this doesn’t just help the students: It gives employers a unique opportunity to grow. Lack of funding for internships is just as much of a barrier for smaller organizations as it is for the students. Through the internship scholarships, smaller organizations get a chance to explore what interns can do for their company without as heavy a cost burden.

“Interns bring fresh perspectives and new talents, and they widen applicant pools, particularly for smaller organizations,” said Myers. “Once they see the value, we hope they’ll be encouraged to continue providing those opportunities."

George Mason is well-regarded in the area for the strength of its graduates across various industries. Myers, in his work with employers, believes the proof is in their continued engagement with the university and recruitment of George Mason students.

Angela Biehl, director of talent acquisition for the nonprofit organization ATCC, calls ATCC’s strategic partnership with George Mason, “an integral component of our broader talent acquisition strategy.” Multiple ATCC team members are George Mason alumni, many of whom started their early career journeys with internships at ATCC. And the pipeline continues: Two current George Mason students are participating in their 2025 Summer Internship Program.

“ATCC’s partnership with George Mason continues to deliver measurable results—fueling innovation, advancing our scientific mission, and empowering the next generation of scientists,” said Biehl. “It is a model of how strategic academic collaboration can drive workforce development and long-term organizational impact.”

“Our students are go-getters. They aren’t afraid of a challenge,” he said. “And the multicultural experiences they get in the classroom—working not just with people from around the globe but also of different ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more—is highly valuable to employers.”

Whether through scholarships, internship fairs, or resume and interview help, University Career Services’ dedication to connecting students with valuable internship experiences helps strengthen Virginia’s workforce.

Myers said, “we want our students to impact the community, and being able to get meaningful experiences in their field of choice is a big piece of that.”