Federal Work-Study (FWS) Internship Program: Venture Support Staff (TFWS)

**Federal work study eligible students only**

Overview:

The Foundry, UVA’s hub for entrepreneurship and student Founder advising, is seeking critical thinkers with a passion for entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and unlocking other people’s potential. Venture Support (VS) staff contribute to advising sessions, connect students to vital resources, and help Founders keep momentum as they balance entrepreneurship with their education. VS team members gain exposure to the full breadth of entrepreneurship at UVA while having the opportunity to engage with more student Founders, startups, and ventures than any other student group on Grounds.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Documenting programming.
• Assigning advisors and mentors supporting student Founders.
• Managing and maintaining lines of communication with student Founders and venture teams.
• Assisting with events and workshops.
• Connecting students with resources and maintaining resources managed by The Foundry.
• Special projects as needed.
• Outreach and at-large promotion and representation of The Foundry on Grounds.
• Documentation of events, workshops, speakers, etc. as needed.
• Hands-on experience in entrepreneurial advising and consulting.

Ideal candidate:

• Strong interest in entrepreneurship, startups, and innovation.
• You love to support others and help them thrive, not just do your own thing.
• You are comfortable (preferably experienced) in a customer-facing role, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• You can work independently, complete tasks, and start new ones with minimal supervision.
• You have a “what’s next?” mindset and actively seek more work from your supervisors when a task is complete.
• Prior experience in business, consulting, entrepreneurship, design, or related fields through employment or coursework.
• Prior experience in a teamwork environment.

Preferred background: Customer-facing experience and prior coursework or experience in business, consulting, entrepreneurship, design, or a related field.

**Internship requirement**: In addition to the job duties and responsibilities outlined above, this position will participate in a structured internship experience through the Internship Placement Program (IPP). If selected, interns must enroll in either UNST 3910 (1 cr.) or UNST 3920 (1 cr.). The courses are offered 9+times during the fall, offering plenty of options to choose from. If the course does not work for your schedule, we also offer an asynchronous co-curricular workshop series through Canvas. Through this robust internship experience, students will receive dedicated career support from their supervisor and gain key skills and competencies that align with future job interests. The FWS Internship will look great on your resume and provide the student with impactful stories to share in interviews. TFWS Internships are best suited for students in their 2nd – 4th years.

Overall, this is a strong fit for a student who enjoys helping others, wants direct exposure to UVA’s startup community, and takes initiative without needing close supervision.

Schedule: 10–20 hours per week, in person. Weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend events.

Compensation: $17 per hour.

Scheduling: Flexible and can accommodate academic commitments.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Resume and cover letter required. LinkedIn profile optional.
Education: Current undergrad UVA student
Experience: None
Licensure: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.