Category Archives: In-Demand Technology Pathways

Career Skills, Community Partnerships, Data Center Operations, ET Career Scholars, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Industry Partnerships, Interpersonal Skills, Mentoring, Microsoft

NOVA ET Career Scholars Meet with Microsoft Professionals

During a session of speed mentoring, scholars gain insight into real-world workforce expectations.

This month we had the honor of having Microsoft visit our Engineering Technology Career Scholars at the NOVA Fab Lab for engaging sessions of speed-mentoring! Microsoft brought 13 team members to help guide our scholars through what it takes to be a professional both at Microsoft and the tech world in general.

2 scholars at a time went to each station to learn from a different mentor, and it was an excellent opportunity for them to ask questions and gain valuable interpersonal experience with accomplished tech professionals.

Here’s what mentors and scholars had to say in response to the session:

“Being able to contribute to the NOVA ET Career Scholars Program as a mentor was as rewarding as it was inspiring, and I look forward to seeing these students in our talent pipeline!”
~ Olivia Brown – Data Center Program Manager, Microsoft

“The speed networking event was amazing! Getting to chat with Microsoft professionals and hear firsthand about their experiences was super inspiring. I walked away with great insights and some awesome new connections that I’m excited to build on!”
~ Ali Pekdemir, ET Career Scholar

“I left the NOVA ETCS Program feeling extremely energized and excited about our future talent in the Northern VA market!”
~ Mauve Davidson, Sr – Global Talent Acquisition, Microsoft

“Our ETCS program provides fantastic opportunities like this, fostering a supportive atmosphere where we can connect and grow. Meeting the Microsoft professionals was definitely the highlight. I’m grateful they took the time out of their busy schedules to meet with us and share valuable insights about their roles and career journeys. Their advice on interview preparation was especially helpful, and after our brief chats, I felt more confident about my future prospects. The connections I made during the event are incredibly valuable, I’m excited about the possibility of becoming a Microsoft intern. Knowing I can reach out to these industry leaders for advice and support is reassuring.”
~ Ulises Chavarria, ET Career Scholar

“I loved the opportunity to connect directly with our local community and help build the next generation of datacenter operators!”
~ Givon Forbes – Data Center Operations Manager, Microsoft

“It was great to see that although the volunteers had different jobs and came from different backgrounds, they all stated that culture and core-values were highly prioritized in Microsoft. I think that it was an amazing opportunity overall.”
~ Jordan Ky, ET Career Scholar

We’ll be assembling another cohort of ET Career Scholars next year. For more info click here.

ETCareerScholarsNOVA EngineeringTechnology DataCenterOperations SoftSkills

ATE PI Conference 2024, BUILD Welding NSF Grant, Conferences, Data Center Operations, DCO PD NSF Grant, DCO Professional Learning Fellowship, Design Thinking, Digital Fabrication, Fabrication, In-Demand Technology Pathways, NSF Grants, PDI NSF Grant, Product Design Incubator (PDI)

Promoting NOVA Grant Funded Programs at the ATE PI Conference in DC

3 grant award programs showcased at the annual DC event

The 2024 NSF ATE PI (Principal Investigator’s) Conference successfully wrapped up this month in Washington, D.C., gathering over 850 ATE (Advanced Technical Education) grantees and partners from across the U.S.

The event provides a valuable opportunity for sharing innovations and fostering collaboration among educators in advanced technological education. Teams from NOVA SySTEMic and NOVA IET attended, as well as students from NOVA’s Product Design Incubator (PDI) program, to actively raise awareness about National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded initiatives through presentations, spotlight sessions, and networking events.

NOVA highlighted 3 different NSF grant award programs in spotlight sessions and through ATE Connects, a hub for networking and collaboration where ATE projects are showcased with posters, materials, and discussion.

The 3 highlighted NSF grant awards were:

  1. Data Center Operations Program Development (DCO PD), which seeks to support colleges across the country in developing programs, courses and content to increase capacity for data center education through 3 components; A DCO Professional Learning (PL) Fellowship for educators, An awareness and recruitment campaign through ACTE’s national conferences, and a Data Center Education Digital Resource Hub. More info about DCO PD can be found here. 
  2. The Product Design Incubator (PDI), which prepares community college students for success in digital fabrication through a product design challenge, guiding them from ideation to final presentation. PDI’s goals are to increase industry engagement, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and produce IET workers with strong communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills – all highly valued by regional employers. To date, PDI has completed 2 cohorts at NOVA. In 2025, we plan to accept our last cohort of 24 students and increase collaboration with our industry and academic partners. More about PDI here.
  3. BUILD: Futures in Welding and Fabrication. The NSF BUILD grant is a new and developing program that will enhance welding instruction at NOVA by redesigning and restructuring courses to align with industry demands, addressing the regional need for a new generation of skilled welders in an aging workforce. BUILD will offer additional support resources to welding students, boosting their competitiveness in the job market. BUILD has 4 goals: to rebuild and modernize the welding credential, to develop a welding fabrication capstone course, to improve access to welding co-curricular support, and to increase outreach to High School students. More about NOVA’s welding program can be found here.
Career & Technical Education, Fabrication, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Interpersonal Skills, Mentoring, Skilled Trades, SkillsUSA, Student Success, Uncategorized

NOVA’s SkillsUSA Students Bring Home the Medals!

NOVA Students Win 23 Medals at SkillsUSA State Championship!

At the SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference, held in Virginia Beach on April 23, students from NOVA won 14 gold medals, 5 silver, and 4 bronze!

Each gold medalist was declared a State Champion in their respective competitive event, including Additive Manufacturing, Commercial sUAS Drone, Computer Programming, Engineering Technology Design, Interactive Application and Video Game Development, Job Interview, Job Skills Demonstration Open, Principles of Engineering Technology, and Related Technical Math. All gold medalists qualified for the SkillsUSA National Championship in Atlanta in June.

In total, there were 8 individual champions and 6 team champions, consisting of a two-person and three-person teams. Below are the winning NOVA students and their respective events:

Competition # on team NOVA Student/SkillsUSA Member SkillsUSA Virginia State Leadership Conference 2024 Placement
Additive Manufacturing 2 Nickolas Cowen State Champion
Additive Manufacturing 2 Tariq Aldalou State Champion
Commercial sUAS Drone 2 Alait Mesfune State Champion
Commercial sUAS Drone 2 Heidy Sandoval State Champion
Computer Programming 1 Serhat Erdogmus
Computer Programming 1 Mohamed Aziz Laouiti State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Julio Gagnon
Engineering Technology Design 3 Misandratr’Avo Andriamasino

 
Engineering Technology Design 3 Thomas Choe
Engineering Technology Design 3 Lauren Traversa State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Mateo Aguilar State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Nyan Prakash State Champion
Engineering Technology Design 3 Benjamin Yam
Engineering Technology Design 3 Kanykei Korosheva
Engineering Technology Design 3 Maddie Gebremichael
Interactive Application and Video Game Development 2 Cinthia Terceros State Champion
Interactive Application and Video Game Development 2 Ugur Aksu State Champion
Job Interview 1 Lemar Ali State Champion
Job Skills Demonstration Open 1 Liza Alekseeva State Champion
Principles of Engineering Technology 1 Jonathon Gebremichael
Principles of Engineering Technology 1 Claudio Molina State Champion
Tanjim Redhwan 1 Related Technical Math State Champion
Kiera White 1 Technical Drafting

Feedback from SkillsUSA students included the following:

Claudio Molina won 1st place in the Principles of Engineering category with his design of a car transmission. “Without support from NOVA, I wouldn’t have had the materials needed to build a five-speed manual transmission system,” Claudio said. “The Fab Lab in Manassas was particularly helpful. It provides a great work environment with a friendly, supportive staff who guided me on the materials and tools to use. Without the lab, I wouldn’t have been able to undertake this kind of project.”

Lauren Traversa, Mateo Aguilar, and Nyan Prakash took 1st place in the Engineering Technology Design category with their Automatic Dog Trainer.

“Without the resources provided by NOVA, we definitely wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this,” Lauren said. “The help from faculty like Mary, along with the Fab Lab and resources such as 3D printers and various supplies, was crucial. They not only assisted us throughout the competition but also managed all the arrangements needed for the event. This support was critical to our success.”

“The most important aspect was Mary’s incredible support at the Fab Lab; she stayed late, which was really awesome,” Mateo says. “Having the Fab Lab open for extended hours was crucial. I’d like the Fab Lab to offer even longer hours. Most of us competing are based at the Annandale Campus, making it challenging to travel to the Manassas Campus where the Fab Lab is located. I’m really grateful for Mary’s flexibility. Moving forward, my next step is to develop the Automatic Dog Trainer into an actual product that I can sell.”

Kanykei Korosova, Benjamin Yam, and Maddie Gebremichael took 2nd place in the Engineering Technology Design for their Radio Control Airplane.

“It was great, honestly. Having support from the Fab Lab really made a difference,” Benjamin said. “Mary provided the materials on time, which was fantastic, allowing us to start working immediately. It was also nice to connect with other like-minded individuals involved in the project. Mary, Justin, and Andy were very supportive; they not only scheduled the trip to Virginia Beach but also organized the entire club and set up the competition. It provided a good platform. We were fortunate to have access to ample resources, which was a big plus.”

“This is my second time participating in SkillsUSA, which is awesome,” Kanykei said. “I felt more comfortable presenting this time; it just came naturally to me. I didn’t have to force anything, and surprisingly, there wasn’t much need for additional practice because of my previous experience. Overall, it was a good experience that gave me significant exposure to the field I’m entering.

“In terms of leadership, my involvement has been extensive. For example, I started the Virginia Tech Engineering Transfer Club and became the president of the Student Government Association (SGA). This allowed me to immerse myself in a community that was naturally aligned with my field. Becoming a leader in clubs related to my interests felt like a natural progression into SkillsUSA.”

“NOVA gave me the opportunity. There was help and support from mentors and professors,” Maddie said. “It helped me realize my potential. It was a great opportunity.”

Alait Mesfune and Heidy Sandoval took first place in the Commercial sUAS Drone event.

“I just wanted to give a shoutout to Mary and Justin at the Fab Lab. Their mentorship was crucial for us in the competition,” Heidy said. “Without their help, we wouldn’t have made it this far. Also, a big thanks to NOVA for making it all possible; without their funding and resources, we wouldn’t have been able to participate in this amazing opportunity. They set us up for success by providing us with study guides and drone equipment. And SkillsUSA, sponsored by NOVA? It was a blast! It gave me something to look forward to this semester, and I was able to make new friendships along the way!”

The State Leadership Conference allowed students to use the technical knowledge acquired in the classroom to solve real-world problems and apply what they had learned, with coaching and advising from industry professionals, in a competitive environment. Now, they have the chance to represent NOVA on the national stage!

 

Career Skills, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Center Operations, Engineering Technology, IET Career Days, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Industry Partnerships, Information Technology, Interpersonal Skills, Network Engineering, NOVA to Transfer, NOVA to Workforce

IET Career Day at the AN Campus Has Students Looking at NOVA

Earlier this month we held our final 2024 NOVA IET Career Day at the Annandale campus to showcase our Information and Engineering Technology programs to over 85 high school students (after successful previous career days in March on other NOVA campuses where 300+ HS students attended).

Participants toured the campus, engaged in hands-on activities, and learned from industry professionals including Nick Dahal from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cameron Brown from Suffolk Construction, Greg Howard from Peraton, and Ryan Ammons and Obaid Sabori from NOVA IET. Key support was also provided by NOVA’s Dual Enrollment team.

The primary goal of the IET Career Days is to spark student interest in the in-demand tech pathway at NOVA, enabling them to either transfer to a 4-year institution in an IET field, or in many cases, enter the workforce directly after one or two years at the college.

Here’s how some of the attending high schoolers responded to their day at NOVA:

“I enjoyed this event because it was informative and helpful. Now, I’m considering attending NOVA for two years before transferring to a four-year college. Hearing from professionals working in the real world was interesting. I’m really glad that I signed up.”

~ Patricia, Senior, Marshall High School Academy

“I’m considering applying to NOVA or to a college in New Orleans, where my sister lives. I’m interested in cybersecurity. The Annandale campus is nice, and the data analytics session was pretty cool.”

~ Solomon, Junior, Potomac High School

“This event was great. I liked the interactive session that gave out prizes. I applied for NOVA’s cybersecurity program. I’m currently taking a cybersecurity class at school.”

~ Jerry, Senior, Marshall High School Academy

“I’m a dual enrollment student at NOVA. I wanted to come to this event to learn more about NOVA, information technology, and the internship options. It was an interesting event. I’m attending George Mason University in the fall.”

~ Evan, Senior, Marshall High School Academy

“I’m interested in mechanical engineering and the IT field, so this event was intriguing and informational. The session with the instructional system designer was interesting because I never really thought about how the government and the IT field intertwine.

I’m deciding among Penn State, George Mason, or Virginia Tech for the fall (I’m on the VT waitlist). As a dual enrollment student at NOVA, I’ve taken a history class and am currently taking an English class and a systems technology class, where I’ll earn A+ certification.

I’ve also considered attending NOVA for two years and then transferring to a four-year university. My grandfather was an English professor at NOVA but is now retired. He also worked as a diplomat and at the World Bank. He’s from Syria.”

~ Nile, Senior, Langley High School

Insights from Presenters:

Greg Howard, an Instructional Systems Designer/Curriculum Development Specialist working as a contractor at Peraton, shared advice for students interested in the IT field: “When you start your career, you may be shy or nervous about talking to people, but you will have to interact with them. Sometimes, you have to ‘fake it till you make it’ as you learn how to communicate. If you don’t, you may not be able to do your job successfully, which would be a disservice to yourself and the organization you’re working for. You have to learn how to adapt accordingly; it’s an important skill to learn.”

Obaid Sabori, a NOVA graduate with an associate degree in cybersecurity, now an entrepreneur and lab support technician at NOVA, stressed that “everyone needs to learn about cybersecurity to protect their digital identity.” He encourages students interested in cybersecurity to gain experience through hands-on projects and participation in both in-person and online competitions, such as the National Cyber League and Hack the Box.

Ryan Ammons, an assistant IET professor at NOVA, highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI), or machine learning, is transforming the workforce. According to The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, it’s predicted that there will be a 40% increase in the number of AI and machine learning specialists by 2027, representing a 30-35% rise in demand. Ryan emphasized  the one-year Data Analytics program at NOVA, noting it equips students with skills supporting the latest advances in digital data analytics.

Nick Dahal, a NOVA and George Mason University graduate, now an Operations Manager for Amazon Web Services, urges students interested in the IET field to apply for internships. “My internship was a game-changer. Internships are very important because your degree’s value doubles when you graduate with internship experience. Since internships are competitive, you may have to apply to many, but as you go through more interviews, talk to more people, and review your resume multiple times, you fix more mistakes and just get better at the process.”

Computer Science, In-Demand Technology Pathways, NOVA Fab Lab, NOVA IET Career Pathways, Robotics, Student Success, Women in IET, Women in STEM

Student Spotlight: Women in STEM President at NOVA

“The NOVA Women in STEM club has introduced me to a diverse group of people from all six campuses, many of whom travel to Annandale for our weekly meetings. Collaborating with other clubs enhances the fun, and I’ve learned from everyone I’ve met here. I’m grateful for the unique and enriching Nighthawk experience.” ~ Judy Marouf

Last spring, Judy Marouf co-founded the NOVA Women in STEM Club. The club seeks to “present women that pursue STEM studies with the opportunities to depart from a transitory academic environment with the tools for success in their future endeavors.”

54% of NOVA is female, but only 17% of the engineering program is female and 21% of the Computer Science program is female. In this regard, the club seeks to be “a small force of change” in order to increase female engagement in STEM fields at the college.

The goals of Women in STEM are:

  1. To create a safe space that offers a well-rounded support system full of uplifting connections and friendships.
  2. To provide members with the latest opportunities and information for academic and career development – including jobs, internships, scholarships, research, and transfer support.
  3. To organize exciting and enriching events, workshops, guest speakers, activities, trips, and games.

Judy serves as the club president, with her duties divided between internal and external responsibilities. Internally, Judy closely manages the board’s schedules and key tasks. She keeps the vice president and secretary updated, approves documents, helps the treasurer with fundraising, guides the membership chair in promotions, and sets goals with the social media manager. She also mentors the president intern for future leadership roles. Externally, she works with other student clubs and handles tasks like organizing events and ensuring the club meets all regulations.

Physics professor Manori Nadesalingam serves as the club advisor. Meetings take place at the Annandale Campus on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The club has grown to almost 250 students on Discord and offers peer support, career resources, and organizes various events. Judy encourages all NOVA STEM students, regardless of gender, to participate in club events and join the Discord community to engage with and benefit from this diverse and active group. Join using this link: https://discord.gg/fqRFxE3qzf.

Judy will graduate this spring with an associate degree in business administration and plans to complete an associate degree in computer science this summer. She is considering a future career in project management.

Recently, Judy completed her first internship during the winter break with a program called Nvolve, designed to support women in overcoming barriers in STEM fields. As a web development intern, she significantly enhanced their website and trained other interns, gaining valuable experience.

Judy is also active in the FAB Lab Product Design Incubator, where she is paired with a mentor to enhance various skills, including resume building and technical development. Last semester, she developed an AI chatbot, a project supported by the Women’s STEM Club, which showcases program benefits like stipends and skill development. This experience has enriched her resume and provided key talking points for job interviews.

Additionally, she is a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which helps exceptional community college students transfer to top four-year institutions without incurring student debt. The winner will be announced in May.

As for her interest in STEM? “I was inspired by my oldest brother’s love for coding and robotics,” she says. “I’ve always looked up to him as a role model. In elementary school, I noticed I wasn’t naturally gifted in math, but I enjoyed the subject enough to challenge myself. I had to work twice as hard, but that didn’t stop me.” Clearly, her efforts have paid off!

Career & Leadership Readiness Institute, Career Skills, CLRI, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Industry Partnerships, Interpersonal Skills, Mentoring, Networking, NOVA IET Career Pathways, NOVA to Workforce, Soft Skills

CLRI Completes Spring Cohort with Executive Networking Event

The Spring 2024 Career and Leadership Institute (CLRI) was capped off on March 28 with the Executive Mentoring and Networking event!

A total of 24 students graduated from the Spring program, completing 7 workshops that covered topics including Leadership and Communication Skills, Building your Personal Brand, Technical Resume Writing, and Understanding Clearances and Vetting for Government Jobs.

The spring program covered 5 weeks starting in February and culminated in the Executive Mentoring and Networking event with 13 industry executives from Iron Mountain, HR Tec, Stack Infrastructure, CoreSite, AWS, A Foot In The Door, Vetting Konsultants, Micron, and Digital Realty.

Both mentors and students were recognized at the end of the event, and participants stayed an extra hour to network with industry partners.

Feedback from CLRI students included the following:

“I’m in the cybersecurity program and looking forward to entering the workforce. This event has been amazing; it helps break the ice, and all the questions I’ve been stressing about are being answered. Having come from the medical field, I’m entering this environment fresh. I was concerned about whether companies would hire people with no experience. Now, I understand what these companies are looking for in their employees, including certifications, and so on. It has been a fantastic experience.”

~ Kayley Radar, Cybersecurity

“I enjoyed speaking with professionals in groups along with other students because it prompted me to think of questions I hadn’t considered before. It allowed us to bounce ideas off one another.”

~ Arisiema Legasse

“I think it was cool that you could talk to industry leaders face-to-face. They were all very friendly, engaging, and interested in getting to know the students.”

~ Patrick Gilllespie, Data Center Operations

“This event was excellent as it provided a good opportunity to practice interacting with others. At NOVA, not many people engage in conversations; they attend their classes and leave. So, this experience was beneficial.”

~ Josh, Computer Science

“Andy Chavez said that working for a company is like a future relationship: the company wants you as much as you want them. I really liked this event.”

~ Nga Tran, Cloud Computing

Insights from industry professionals included the following:

Miguel Ramos, CMCO, Sr. Data Center Operations Manager, along with Zuri Johnson, Recruiter at CoreSite, an American Tower Company, shared their experiences through Q & A.

CoreSite operates 28 data centers across the United States, including three in Virginia.

Q. Which of your skills can be applied beyond your present job? 

Miguel explained from a manager’s viewpoint the importance of getting to know the people in your team. He emphasized, “It’s crucial to understand their personalities, the skills they bring to the table, their needs, and how to communicate with each individual uniquely. The way you perceive information may not be the same way they understand it. Having people skills can help you in any job.”

Miguel highlighted the importance of email organization in a data center, saying, “Every asset in the building, such as generators, chillers, UPS systems, and power panels, is monitored. It’s similar to getting an engine light in your car when you need an oil change. We receive alarms every day via email. I might get 500 alarms a day, translating to 500 emails that I have to sift through.”

Zuri shared, “Customer service skills are invaluable, regardless of your job. Another critical skill is project management, especially the ability to manage your time.”

Q. When you first started in the data center industry, was it overwhelming?

Miguel responded, “Anything new can be overwhelming at first, but once you find your rhythm, get trained, and understand your duties, it becomes manageable. We tend to be our own worst critics.”

Zuri added, “Yes, it was particularly overwhelming for me since it was my first experience in this environment. Choosing a company with a great culture and team is crucial.”

Michael Guttman, Strategic Program Manager at Micron Technology, a semiconductor manufacturing company based in Manassas and operating internationally, also provided insights.

Q. What makes work fun?

“It’s engaging to work with a group of people you get along with, where everyone values each other and can be themselves. Having a space where we can professionally joke around enhances the work environment.”

Q. Are there internship opportunities at Micron?

“Yes, we offer internships. I currently have an intern from NOVA on my team, who’s doing great. Although she’s majoring in cybersecurity, I’m assisting her in transitioning to mechatronics, which aligns more closely with our work.”

Q. Is your current position something you imagined doing when you were younger?

“Not in a million years. I assumed the highest position I would achieve was that of a senior technician. Managing projects worth a hundred million dollars was beyond my imagination.”

Q. What skills from your technician background helped you become a program manager?

“My military background provided me with leadership and technical skills. I’ve always been quick to learn and enjoy it, which opened many opportunities. This industry is challenging, and having a versatile skill set has kept me employed. Networking and building relationships with senior leaders are also crucial for success. Relationships are everything.”

Q. Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit into your role or experienced imposter syndrome?

“When I joined the STAR team, my knowledge of talent acquisition was limited, making me feel like an imposter. However, through extensive reading, online research, courses, and certification in management recruiting, I gained confidence. Starting a new position always comes with uncertainties, but taking smart risks and learning from mistakes, with support from your team, helps you progress.”

Stephen Jolly, Data Center Cluster Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS), discussed career opportunities at AWS.

Q. What kind of career opportunities are available at AWS?

“AWS offers many entry-level positions that don’t require extensive experience. For instance, with a cybersecurity degree, you can start in an entry-level data center position, learning about the business while building a network to explore cybersecurity within AWS. I encourage students, even freshmen at Nova, to join us. We support their education and help them establish a professional network, creating a beneficial situation for everyone. We look for individuals who will contribute positively to our team.”

AFCOM, Career & Leadership Readiness Institute, CLRI, Data Center Operations, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Mentoring, Student Success

Spotlight on AFCOM/CLRI Grad Bryan Buford

Bryan Buford, a NOVA IET student, completed the Career Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI) and an internship through AFCOM. 

Through CLRI, Buford gained an introduction to personal branding, enhancing his understanding of resume development to emphasize achievements over mere job descriptions. He also appreciated CLRI’s emphasis on effective communication and leadership skills towards his professional development.

He found the mock interviews particularly equipping, especially the exposure to Amazon’s STAR method, which stands for: Situation: What was a challenging situation at your previous job that you faced? Task: What did you do when the situation arose? Action: How did you take action to resolve the situation? Results: What happened as a result of your action?

During his AFCOM internship at CyrusOne Data Centers, he began as a critical operations intern. His duties included monitoring control center screens and managing the operation of rooftop chillers. He learned from seasoned professionals, occasionally starting up generators and improving his ability to interpret one-line diagrams.

He later transitioned to the position of technician intern, where he removed racks and cables in a data hall, distinguishing between fiber and copper and learning the careful handling of fiber to prevent damage. He values internships for the practical experience they provide, believing they differentiate candidates in the job market.

Now employed as a cable technician at N2N Integrations, he enjoys the role’s diversity and dynamism, rising to the challenge of juggling a full-time job with part-time college coursework and looks forward to graduating with an associate’s degree in Data Center Operations (DCO).

His future plans include continuing his technical career before transitioning to critical operations, to pursue a mechanical engineering degree with the dream of working at NASA.

He advises those interested in the DCO field to start early and invest significant effort, pointing out the promising growth trajectory of data centers in our increasingly digital world.

Buford compares his interest in the IET field to the allure of the “Great and Powerful Oz” from The Wizard of Oz. He explained, “There’s something intriguing about observing the inner workings of computers and servers behind the scenes.”

He acknowledges the significant influence of TJ Ciccone, the IET Program and Curriculum Support Specialist, on his career. Buford is grateful for Ciccone’s impactful instruction and assistance in securing his internship.

Career Skills, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Center Operations, Engineering Technology, IET Career Days, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Information Technology, Network Engineering

IET Career Days are Back!

Showcasing NOVA’s commitment to supporting students and professionals in IET fields, NOVA’s IET High School Career Days return this March and April! These events introduce high school students to in-demand technology career pathways.

Check out our IET Career Day Video

Career Days are FREE and feature presentations and panel discussions by industry experts covering a range of topics such as Information Technology, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Data Center Operations, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Credit for Prior Learning (e.g. Google, CompTIA, and AWS certifications). Students will also tour the particular NOVA campus they are visiting (Loudoun, Woodbridge, Manassas, Alexandria, andAnnandale).

High schools that meet the minimum registration requirement will be provided free transportation to and from the event and lunch is also provided. This is a first-come first-serve event and each campus is capped at 200 attendees.

Registration is required to attend and all high school students must self-register for their respective Career Day.

Register below to attend a Career Day at one of our NOVA Campuses: 

Tuesday 3/12 Loudoun Campus
Wednesday 3/13 Woodbridge Campus
Thursday 3/14 Manassas Campus
Friday 4/5 Annandale Campus

For questions contact Braden Traw at jtraw@nvcc.edu or Justin Owen at jlowen@nvcc.edu.

Cloud Computing, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Center Operations, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Information Technology, Internships, Interpersonal Skills, Networking, PWCS IT Internship

Paid PWCS IT Internships for NOVA IET Students

Through December 13th, there are excellent PAID internship opportunities for Northern Virginia Community College students who are currently enrolled in an IET program of study (Cybersecurity, IT Help Desk, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, and more).

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is offering multiple Information Technology (IT) Support Technician internships that will begin during the spring 2024 semester.

This internship involves working under the general guidance of experienced PWCS Technical Support Specialists to assist students, teachers and staff on-site with hardware and software issues at one or more PWCS locations.

Students will gain hands-on experience in IT support while contributing to the efficient operation of a school’s technology infrastructure.

The internship will operate during regular daytime business hours and interns will be paid $20/hr with a maximum earning of $3000.

Apply by December 13 through the NOVA Career Connection portal

More about NOVA IET at https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/divisions/iet/index.html

#InDemandTech #InformationTechnology #Internships #InformationTechnology #Nighthawks

Career & Leadership Readiness Institute, Career Skills, CLRI, Cybersecurity, In-Demand Technology Pathways, Information Technology, Internships, Interpersonal Skills, NOVA IET Career Pathways, NOVA to Mason, NOVA to Workforce, PWCS IT Internship, Student Success, Student to Workforce, Women in IET, Women in STEM

PWCS IT Intern Now Working at NOVA in IT

Fatima Shareen comes full circle from NOVA cyber student and CLRI to NOVA IT employee.

 By Kristy Gillespie

Fatima Shareen is a recent NOVA cybersecurity graduate and now works as an Information Technology (IT) Support Technician at the bustling Woodbridge Campus, future site of NOVA’s Data Center Operations Training Facility and where NOVA’s Information and Engineering Technologies (IET) program is based.

Her current career pathway was trailblazed from her time as a Prince William County Schools (PWCS) IT intern when she was a NOVA student. From the beginning, the 150-hour internship at Forest Park High School provided flexibility as she could choose between an eight or six-hour day, giving her the freedom to efficiently manage her busy schedule at work and at George Mason University, where she is pursuing a cybersecurity bachelor degree.

Like many technology students at NOVA who are looking to develop their soft skills, Shareen previously completed NOVA IET’s Career & Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI): “I loved the CLRI program. I actually enrolled twice because the instructors provided great support for the interview process and helped with resume building.”

Shereen highly recommends that NOVA IET students take advantage of CLRI so they have better internship opportunities, as being a CLRI grad played a pivotal role in securing her own PWCS intern spot.

Her key tasks during the internship included computer imaging (which involves the installation of operating systems, applications, and settings) and computer scripting for automating tasks in websites and web applications. She utilized Configuration Manager, a systems management software product, to handle a total of 3,000 laptops.

At Forest Park High School, Shereen progressed through her internship in a “warm and welcoming environment with supportive individuals.” One person who had a profound influence on her was Sylvia Avila, an IT Support Technician. “I’ve been working for the last six, seven years, but never encountered someone like her. She was simply amazing and incredibly helpful,” Shareen said.

The PWCS internship significantly bolstered her resume, enhanced her teamwork skills, expanded her IT knowledge, and provided valuable hands-on training. Shareen emphasized how those skills acquired during the internship continue to support her in her current career, particularly with diagnosing and resolving computer errors or technical issues: “If you are in the IT field, troubleshooting is the most important thing that you should know.”

Shareen has come full circle, from NOVA student to NOVA employee. Reflecting on those who made a positive impact during her time as a student, she singled out IET Professor Michael Spiller as her favorite instructor: “The way he taught was different from other teachers. He always showed up to class stating that he was the boss and we were his employees. I took 3 or 4 classes with him. He was amazing.”

In her professional environment, Shareen is keenly appreciative of NOVA’s “positive vibe,” with friendly people and job tasks similar to those performed during her internship.

Looking forward, Shareen aspires to venture into entrepreneurship and develop her own business, possibly through the Fulfillment by Amazon platform.

Shareen’s heartfelt message to NOVA students is: “your time at NOVA is an invaluable investment in your future, and I encourage you to approach it with dedication and belief in your capabilities.”

PWCS IT Internship Opportunities are currently available for NOVA students. Apply by December 13 through the NOVA Career Connection portal

More about NOVA IET at https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/divisions/iet/index.html

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