Tag Archives: Veterans

Events

Veteran’s Day: honoring those who have honored us

Veterans Day

The Office of Veteran’s Affairs provides a history of Veteran’s Day, which began in 1919, when President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day:

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Every year, we honor all the men and women who have served our country through military service.  To our veterans past and present, and to our new veterans who returning home after serving abroad, and to those who have served and who are no longer with us: thank you for your service.

Northern Virginia Community College is dedicated to helping our veteran learners transition from active duty to civilian career paths, through both continuing education and certificate or degree programs. NOVA’s Office of Military Services helps all members of the military community (active duty, veterans and family members) achieve their education and career goals.

Members of the military on active or reserve duty, veterans of the armed forces, and family members are eligible to receive educational benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

We honor those of you who have served our country, who are currently serving abroad, and those who are seeking to transition from active duty to post-duty careers. We support you, and thank you for your service.

NOVA Workforce Development Division | Blog

Events, News

Techtober and STEM initiatives

In September, NVTC and NOVA co-hosted a Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) roundtable discussion on Northern Virginia’s economic future at NOVA’s Annandale Campus. More than 80 business, education and elected leaders worked to develop a collaborative vision for moving our region forward. George Mason University and Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce also co-hosted the event.

Governor McAuliffe speaks at NOVA Annandale

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, speaking on many points from his “New Virginia Economy” Workforce Initiative (Executive Order 23, August 2014), delivered the keynote address. He spoke about new opportunities available in the tech space, and the education and talent needed to fill the demand.

“We’ve got 900,000 Virginians retiring in the next 10 years which will create 400,00 to 500,000 new jobs… 60% of those jobs will require less than a 4-year degree.” — Gov. Terry McAuliffe

He went on to talk about 15,000 veterans leaving active duty every year and needing new jobs; our veterans here in Virginia are highly skilled, well educated, and perfect for high-demand technology jobs. To date, the Governor’s Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program has seen 11,000 veterans hired in the Commonwealth. He has set a new target of 20,000 veterans placed in high-demand industries. (Visit the V3 program’s Facebook page.)

NVTC Chair Todd Stottlemyer, CEO of Inova Center for Personalized Health, expressed a critical need for education and industry to work together to develop workforce initiatives:

We must invest in strategies that retain talent, attract new people to our region, and support workforce initiatives to prepare our workers and support our businesses and growth industries. (read Mr. Stottlemeyer’s full remarks at NVTC.org)

Read more about the NVRC Roundtable discussion at NVTC’s Newsroom page.

Bringing STEM industry leaders and new talent together

On September 30, NOVA’s Workforce Development Division held our second STEM Career Fair, attracting several leading tech companies who are actively hiring new talent. Joe Montano, regional representative for Senator Tim Kaine, kicked off the fair by discussing the growing impact of STEM in Northern Virginia. Mr. Montano said that events like ours help address the need for talent to fill the more than 30,000 available STEM jobs in the region.

Many STEM-based companies were available at the fair, seeking to recruit and hire new talent from over 150 job-seekers who attended. Job seekers included NOVA students, veterans, career changers, and entry-level and experienced job seekers. (We featured short descriptions of the hiring companies in a previous post.) Some companies will return in the spring of 2016 for our next STEM Career Fair.

  • ABC Supply
  • Apple
  • ActioNet
  • Capital One
  • Dulles Glass and Mirror
  • Evolver
  • Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communication
  • Honeywell
  • Leidos
  • Nordstrom
  • SAIC
  • Satnam Technologies
  • Southland Industries
  • National Student Clearing House
  • Bureau of Diplomatic Security
  • VSE Corporation

In addition to the companies above, NOVA’s Adult Career Pathways program, Extended Learning Institute (ELI), and Career Services were also on hand to assist job seekers. A Veteran’s Administration Mobile Vet Center was also on site to provide resources to attending veterans.

NOVA Career Services live-tweeted the event, and photos from the Career Fair are on Twitter (@NOVACareerServ) and Facebook (@NOVAWDD).

“The quality of the employers was outstanding, and I was delighted to hear that SAIC offered 18 students the opportunity to interview.” (Susan Baker, Special Assistant for Workforce Development)

GALLERY: Workforce Industry STEM Career Fair

Techtober

The NVRC roundtable discussion and STEM Career Fair were both held at NOVA’s Annandale Campus within one week of each other. Northern Virginia Community College is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with both industry and government in the Commonwealth, and is working to meet many initiatives set forth by government-led goals and economic growth needs.

Virgina has the highest number of tech jobs per capita in the United States; most of those jobs are right here in Northern Virginia. On October 1, Governor McAuliffe delivered a proclamation on his website declaring October 2015 as Techtober, following a similar missive from his September 2014 press release,which highlighted Virginia’s innovation in the tech sector.  The Governor’s Techtober declaration:

  • WHEREAS, specialized, skilled, and technical jobs comprise more than 45% of Virginia’s labor market; and
  • WHEREAS, one out of every ten Virginia workers are directly employed in a technology field; and
  • WHEREAS, to build a workforce equipped for the New Virginia Economy, we must prepare citizens for the needs of an increasingly diverse business climate by giving them the skills and credentials that are needed in high demand, technology businesses and industry; and
  • WHEREAS, Virginia needs to build a better awareness of technical career pathways to meet the demands of the current and future employers;
  • WHEREAS, Techtober will kick off a statewide mentor pledge that focuses on business and industry mentors, internships and support to students and teachers; and
  • WHEREAS, more Virginia students, especially females and minorities, will learn about the technical fields during Techtober, with an emphasis on information technology; and
  • WHEREAS, Virginia will continue to be a leader in technologies that include: information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, manufacturing technology, health technology, aerospace technology and environmental technology;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe, do hereby recognize October 2015 as Techtober in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor McAuliffe is calling for 8,700 jobs per year in the tech space between now and 2020. He would like to see Virginia remain in top standing in the United States for higher education, technology, and regional economic initiatives. “Regionalism works,” said McAuliffe, during the final moments of his speech at the NVRC Roundtable discussion.

Video_McAuliffe

NOVA Workforce Development Division is working on many new programs this fall, responding to the forecasted demand in STEM industries. Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up to date with new credentials, certificate programs, and partnerships!

 

NOVA Workforce Development Division | Blog
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Events, Jobs and Careers

Meet our hiring companies.

Next week, on September 30, NOVA’s Workforce Development Division will be hosting our second annual STEM Career Fair. We have a wonderful lineup of companies who are ready to meet job seekers, and some on-the-spot interviews will be available to pre-qualified candidates!

STEM career fair companies

“What do I need to attend the Career Fair?”

Our STEM Career Fair is open to all job-seekers, whether entry-level or experienced. We also welcome veterans, students, and currently employed individuals seeking a new career path. In short, if you are interested in a STEM job with one of our hiring companies, do a little research online and be prepared. Make sure that you have an updated resume, and leave the t-shirt and jeans at home! Business casual is an excellent approach for a career fair, but we have seen some job seekers show up in suits, ready to meet their next employer.

Whatever you do, be comfortable, be yourself, and say hello to several of our hiring companies:

 

ABC Supply Co., Inc.

We are the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the U. S. and one of the nation’s largest distributors of other select exterior building products. Since 1982, ABC Supply Company has become a national organization with more than 490 locations in 49 states. We provide contractors (large and small) with high-quality products, superior service, and competitive pricing.

ActioNet Inc.

ActioNet’s seasoned personnel are experts in a wide range of IT systems, Program Management, Software Engineering, Information Assurance, Infrastructure Solutions, and IT Business Governance. 75% of our staff has at least one certification directly related to their area of expertise. ITIL, PMP, MCSE, CISSP, Security+ comprise many of these.

Capital One

One of the 10 largest U.S. banks and a Fortune 500 company headquartered in McLean, VA, we approach financial services challenges the way Internet start-ups approach development challenges. Capital One’s Technology department provides scalable infrastructure for our entire enterprise—managing both internal and customer-facing technology. Career opportunities are available for data architects, systems analysts, engineers, and information security professionals.

Diplomatic Security – U.S. Department of State

As the DoS’s security and law enforcement arm, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security serves an essential role: To provide a safe, secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Diplomatic Security is a unique organization in the foreign affairs community—it is the only law enforcement agency with representation in nearly every country in the world.

Dulles Glass & Mirror

Founded in 1972, Dulles Glass and Mirror offers glass, mirror and shower doors for residential and commercial uses. We deliver nationally and offer installation services in northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

eIntern

eIntern is a first-of-its-kind online internship where aspiring IT programmers attain actual job-based skills. The eInternship program is designed in close collaboration with several academic and corporate partners to deliver qualified, reliable & expert IT talent geared for the complex IT needs of the industry today. eIntern’s individually tailored and mentored program helps talent succeed not as entry level programmers, but as experienced job candidates with specialized IT skills.

Evolver

Established in December 2000 in Reston, Virginia, Evolver has successfully grown to a recognized IT solutions provider. Our employee base now exceeds 200 and our clients— both government and commercial —span the globe. Our services include Infrastructure Engineering and Operations, Application Systems Engineering, Data Management, and End User Support (Seat Management).

iWorks

Providing IT professional services with a specialty in managing business processes and systems integration, iWorks has been appraised at Level 3 of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), as well as ISO 9001:2008 certified. We maintain two U.S. DoD cleared facilities in the DC metro area, and we team with top firms to achieve breakthrough performance for our clients.

Fairfax County Government

The core purpose of Fairfax County Government is to protect and enrich the quality of life for the people, neighborhoods, and diverse communities of Fairfax County. We do this through:

  • Maintaining Safe, Caring Communities
  • Building Livable Spaces
  • Connecting People and Places
  • Maintaining Healthy Economies
  • Practicing Environmental Stewardship
  • Creating a Culture of Engagement
  • Exercising Corporate Stewardship

Honeywell

A Fortune 100 company with more than 127,000 employees worldwide, including more than 22,000 engineers and scientists, Honeywell creates solutions to improve the quality of life of people around the globe: generating clean, healthy energy—and using it more efficiently; increasing safety and security; and enabling people to connect, communicate, and collaborate.

Leidos

Leidos  brings a mix of innovative technology and sector expertise to customers in national security, health, and engineering. We look for solutions that not only transform businesses, but change the world. Our approach to every challenge is holistic and systematic. We see solutions others can’t with impactful analytics. We make real life better with a human point of view.

National Student Clearinghouse

Founded in 1993 by the higher education community, National Student Clearinghouse relieves the administrative burdens and costs related to student data reporting and exchange, verification, and research. We are a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, and our work provides numerous time- and cost-saving benefits to students, schools, administrators, and requestors.

Nordstrom

Since 1901, Nordstrom’s commitment to providing our customers with the best possible service has taken us from a small Seattle shoe shop to the leading fashion specialty retailer we are today. We’re proud to serve customers at 310 stores in 38 states and Canada. We also serve customers online in 96 countries through Nordstrom.com. We believe fashion is a business of optimism, and in that spirit we continue to grow and evolve.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

We design, develop, and sustain offerings in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets; we empower diplomatic missions, support warfighter requirements, and advance exploration from the ocean floor to outer space. We maintain leadership positions in supply chain management, hardware integration, and global network integration. SAIC has approximately 15,000 employees worldwide.

Satnam Technologies

We manage complex software projects from inception to implementation and support, including enterprise applications, application development, and Quality Assurance Testing. Satnam’s IT staffing and consulting services provide qualified technology specialists and IT consultants when and where our clients need them.

Southland Industries

Advocating a design-build-maintain model, Southland specializes in the design, construction, and service of mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, process piping, automation and controls systems, as well as comprehensive energy services needs. Our in-house experts have earned Southland its reputation as one of the top design-builders in the nation.

VSE Corporation

VSE Corporation was established in 1959 to provide engineering and technical services to the owners and operators of transportation and equipment assets and large, mission critical fleets (ships, vehicles and aircraft.) VSE serves this market by extending the service life and modernizing these aging platforms.

If you would like more information on the Career Fair, contact Cinthia Molinari at 703.323.3281, or email NOVA_CustomizedTraining@nvcc.edu.

Events, Jobs and Careers

September 2015: STEM Career Fair and workshop

This month NOVA’s Workforce Development Division is hosting a STEM Career Fair featuring 20 area companies involved with advancing technology and job opportunities—and they are seeking new talent! Attend our pre-event workshop on September 14 (details below), and come prepared to start or evolve your STEM career with some of Virginia’s cutting-edge companies!

NOVA STEM Career Fair, September 2015

Pre-event workshop

Do you know how to navigate a Career Fair? Do you need to brush up on your interview and resume skills?

A pre-event workshop will be held on September 14, from 1-4 PM (also at the Ernst Cultural Center, NOVA-Annandale). Registration is required: call 703-323-3281, or email NOVA_CustomizedTraining@nvcc.edu to reserve your spot. The workshop is led by Edythe Richards, a Career Counselor who specializes in working with mid-career adults in transition.

Featured companies

Companies will be hosting on-site interviews at the STEM Career Fair on September 30 for pre-qualified candidates. Hiring companies include:

Veterans are encouraged to attend!

A Mobile Vet Center will be on site for veterans attending the Career Fair. MVCs, provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, are mobile offices that provide readjustment counseling and information resources to veterans across the country.

Mobile Vet Center | STEM Career Fair at Northern Virginia Community College STEM Career Fair

To register for the Resume and Interview Workshop,
or for more information on the STEM Career Fair:

 

 

NOVA Workforce Development Division | Blog
Northern Virginia Community College’s Workforce Development Division is dedicated to improving Northern Virginia’s economic development and business landscape with a comprehensive variety of training options, including Professional Development, Certificate Programs, Enrichment Courses, Continuing Education, and Customized Training. Visit us online to learn more.