Higher Education Engagement

Connecting Talent to Opportunity

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) works closely with colleges and universities across the Greater Washington, D.C. region to connect employers with top student talent. These connections help our partner businesses engage with students early—through career fairs, internship pipelines, and tailored programming—allowing employers to build brand visibility on campus and develop relationships with future hires before they enter the job market.

For students, these connections offer a clearer view of career opportunities and a chance to gain hands-on experience with companies invested in their growth. Whether you’re exploring your first job or preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, we’re here to help you take the next step.

At the end of the day, our mission is to strengthen Northern Virginia’s workforce by creating lasting connections between employers, students, and educators.

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

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

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 […]