Two rising juniors and one recent Virginia Tech graduate took part in an inaugural summer internship program developed by the Office of the Vice President for Finance to expose students to higher education administration and financial management.

“We want our future leaders to start right here at Virginia Tech,” said Dwight Shelton, vice president for finance and chief financial officer. “This internship program provides the opportunity to gain financial management knowledge across multiple units and an understanding of a $1.4 billion dollar institution.”

Over the course of an intensive, 12-week program, students gain experience in critical elements of higher-education financial management. With guidance, interns select two or three primary concentrations from the eight departments under the vice president for finance. This year, interns worked in the Office of Budget and Financial Planning, University Internal Audit, Procurement, Capital Assets and Financial Management, and Controller.

“The Vice President for Finance Internship Program was a great experience," said Daysha Holmes, of Richmond, Virginia, a recent Virginia Tech graduate. "I gained so much knowledge in just 12 weeks. One of my projects during the internship was to provide an audit of submitted billings from contracted vendors to the negotiated terms within established contracts. I was able to work independently and provide input on different discussions. I must say that this internship has taught me a lot about what goes on behind the scenes when you’re no longer a student at Virginia Tech.”

Each intern works on different project assignments, providing exposure to the central financial and administrative functions of the university and equipping the intern with an understanding of the university’s administrative processes. Upon completion of the internship, successful candidates are eligible to apply for the one-year, post-baccalaureate Vice President for Finance Rotational Fellowship Program.

Written by Nancy Meacham and Daysha Holmes

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