Higher Education Engagement

Connecting Talent to Opportunity

The Higher Education Talent Program is designed to connect employers with top university talent and support the development of strong, sustainable talent pipelines. By serving as a strategic link between industry and higher education institutions, we help employers efficiently access students across a range of disciplines, including technology, engineering, business, and data analytics.

Through direct university partnerships, targeted outreach, and customized engagement opportunities, the program simplifies the campus recruiting process and expands access to both regional and national talent. Our approach ensures that employers connect with the right students at the right institutions, while also supporting universities in delivering meaningful career opportunities to their students.

Fast Facts

25+

Regional University Partners

100+

National University Partners

400K+

College Students in the DMV

50-60%

Of Eligible Interns Convert to Full-Time Employees

Our University Partners

Virginia Tech

University of Virginia

Northern Virginia Community College

Northeastern University Arlington

Marymount University

James Madison University

Howard University

George Washington University

George Mason University

American University

Brigham Young University

Christopher Newport University

Dartmouth College

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology View Jobs

John Hopkins University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Penn State

The Catholic University of America

Tufts University

University of Maryland

Virginia State University

William & Mary

Attract Retain & Grow

Attract: Support virtual & in-person engagement; identify best fit schools based on employer needs; conduct outreach to targeted universities nationwide; and facilitate virtual introductory meetings with employer engagement centers or targeted colleges.

Retain: Reach the right students faster; expand your company’s brand on campus; stay competitive for top talent; and tap into local networks and young professional organizations.

Grow: Connect to state-funded resources to support internships & apprenticeships; build stronger employer-university partnerships through customized engagement; and provide access to upskilling and professional development for early career employees.

Attract: Support virtual & in-person engagement; identify best fit schools based on employer needs; conduct outreach to targeted universities nationwide; and facilitate virtual introductory meetings with employer engagement centers or targeted colleges.

Retain: Reach the right students faster; expand your company’s brand on campus; stay competitive for top talent; and tap into local networks and young professional organizations.

Grow: Connect to state-funded resources to support internships & apprenticeships; build stronger employer-university partnerships through customized engagement; and provide access to upskilling and professional development for early career employees.

Core Program Outcomes

Access to top student talent across targeted universities
Reduced time and cost of campus recruiting through a single point of access
Stronger, direct relationships with universities and key programs
Expanded reach to national and diverse talent pools
Customized, scalable, long-term talent pipeline development

Access to top student talent across targeted universities
Reduced time and cost of campus recruiting through a single point of access
Stronger, direct relationships with universities and key programs
Expanded reach to national and diverse talent pools
Customized, scalable, long-term talent pipeline development

Examples of Program Delivery

Introductory and ongoing engagement with targeted colleges and universities
Customized on-campus recruiting events such as tabling or presentations
Support meaningful site-visits, networking events, classroom engagement, and work-based learning opportunities

Introductory and ongoing engagement with targeted colleges and universities
Customized on-campus recruiting events such as tabling or presentations
Support meaningful site-visits, networking events, classroom engagement, and work-based learning opportunities

For Employers and Students

Resources & Events

Employers: connect with rising talent. Students: take the next step toward your career. Explore upcoming events and resources across Northern Virginia.

Discover What’s Next

Employers

InternshipsVA

Internships Virginia is your key to building a future-ready workforce. From start-ups to established institutions, InVA provides resources for organizations of every size to strengthen their talent pipeline through internships.

Learn More

Are You an Employer Looking to Connect with Top University Talent?

Contact highered@fceda.org to get started.

Contact

Past Events

2025 Internship & Early Career Event at Capital One Hall

In January 2025, the FCEDA hosted the Internship & Early Career Networking and Hiring Event at Capital One Hall—drawing over 500 students and recent graduates from across Northern Virginia and featuring more than 30 top employers from industries such as tech, consulting, government, and finance. Designed to help bridge the gap between higher education and […]

Tap Into the Future with UVA and Virginia Tech

In August 2024, the FCEDA, in partnership with the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, hosted the Tap Into the Future Employer Luncheon at the AWS Skills Center in Arlington. This dynamic event brought together employers from across the region to learn how they can better connect with two of Virginia’s leading universities. Through interactive […]

Mars UVA Trek: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Global Brand

On May 21, 2025, students had the opportunity to visit the global headquarters of Mars, Inc. in McLean, Virginia. Titled the Mars Trek, this exclusive experience was organized by Mars Inc., the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and the UVA Career Center. During the tour, students explored post-graduation career pathways and learned more about internships […]