“There was a wealth of valuable information, taught by passionate professors eager to engage with students. The experience opened many opportunities, and I believe schools should offer these trips annually to help students understand college life.”
~ Melvin, Senior, Colgan High School, Woodbridge Career Day

NOVA's annual IET Career Days were a tremendous success, welcoming 465 high school students from 43 high schools across Northern Virginia. These events provide students with firsthand exposure to in-demand technology education and career pathways. Participants learn about options to transfer to a four-year institution in an IET field or enter the workforce after one or two years at NOVA.

Held on February 20 (Manassas Campus), February 21 (Woodbridge), February 28 (Loudoun), March 5 (Alexandria), and March 6 (Annandale), Career Days featured campus tours, presentations from NOVA’s Dual Enrollment and Admissions teams, and interactive sessions on Information Technology/Computer Science, Engineering Technology, Data Center Operations, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and IT career development. Students had the opportunity to ask questions, engage with faculty, and gain insights into the skills needed for success in these high-demand fields.

Overall, the events underscored NOVA’s commitment to supporting students in IET fields. Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

Why Attendees Would Recommend a Friend to Attend a NOVA IET Career Day:

“Of course I would recommend it! It was so much fun. This is the most exciting campus I have ever visited! I especially loved the campus tour led by fellow students.”—Annandale Career Day

“I would, because the environment is very vibrant and active, the people are friendly and welcoming, and asking questions was encouraged among those who attended this field trip."—Alexandria Career Day

“Yes! Students will walk away with nuggets of wisdom that they will certainly remember when they leave high school.” —Loudoun Career Day

"It was really important—I learned a lot, and it was even more information than I expected. Thank you for letting us come; I appreciate it so much. There were a lot of resources and opportunities to develop communication skills, and I wasn’t scared to speak up at all. I loved it!"—Woodbridge Career Day

“Yes, because students learned so much about the college and its programs, from workforce certifications to one-year certificates to two-year associate degrees." —Manassas Career Day

What Attendees Enjoyed Most:

“I especially enjoyed when we split into groups and had adults talk to us about IT, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and more. The professors were all so nice, and I learned so much today.” —Annandale Career Day

"As a counselor, I appreciated that the sessions moved in a timely manner and that you also emphasized the non-technical/soft skills required for success on the job.” —Alexandria Career Day

“What I enjoyed most about the career day was the free merch given out for answering questions. This incentive created strong participation among my group.” —Alexandria Career Day

“I liked all the tips the teachers shared. They were happy to give them. The food is always a winner. We appreciate the charter bus, as it allows us to stay for the entire day, and I like how we keep moving.” —Loudoun Career Day

"I really enjoyed the short presentations about various majors and programs. My favorite was the Engineering Technician presentation because I resonated with Dr. Worsley, who also wanted to be a mechanical engineer before transitioning to Engineering Tech." —Manassas Career Day

NOVA’s IET Career Days continue to provide an invaluable experience for students, helping them make informed decisions about their futures in technology and engineering.

Learn more about NOVA IET here.