Students & Families
Helping Families Navigate What’s Next
Northern Virginia is full of opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive—both in and out of the classroom. Whether you’re new to the region or have lived here for years, this page connects you to family-friendly programs, resources, and events that support your child’s educational journey from the earliest years through high school. From foundational learning to hands-on career exploration, Northern Virginia offers pathways that help young learners discover their interests and build the skills they’ll need for future success.
Explore resources designed to help students discover their potential and take charge of their future.
Discover Your Interests and Strengths
Explore your personality, interests, and values to find careers that fit you.
Work Values Assessment
This tool from CareerOneStop helps you figure out what matters most to you in a job. Use it to find careers that align with your values.
PAR Assessment
Created by Think Big for Kids, this short quiz matches you with careers based on your interests. It also filters out options that may not be a good fit.
Interest Assessment
A simple survey from CareerOneStop that recommends careers based on what you enjoy doing.
Explore Careers and Job Options
Learn about different career paths, job outlooks, and what it takes to get there.
Tiggbee
As an FCPS partner, this free platform allows students to explore careers through short videos, interactive activities, and real-world advice from professionals.
Bright Outlook Occupations
This resource from ONET* highlights careers expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings. Explore details like tasks, skills, and education needed.
My Next Move
Created by the U.S. Department of Labor, this site makes it easy to browse careers, read job descriptions, and see the training required.
The Career Project
A free career database featuring real stories from professionals. Learn what people do in their jobs, how they got there, and what they like or dislike.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this guide provides detailed job profiles including salary, growth outlook, and education requirements.
Plan Courses, Skills, and Next Steps
Set academic and career goals, build experience, and prepare for what comes after high school.
MyFuture
Created by several U.S. government agencies, this site helps you explore and compare options after high school—college, careers, or the military.
Find the Right College
A search tool from the National Center for Education Statistics that lets you compare colleges by location, size, cost, and programs.
Building a Good Resume
A guide from StudyPoint offering tips on how to build a strong high school resume for jobs, internships, or college applications.
Resumes, Cover Letters & Interviews
Tools and templates from CareerOneStop to help you write resumes, draft cover letters, and practice for interviews.
Student Work and Internships
Resources for You
Use these trusted platforms to find internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer experiences.
- Features over 1,000 local internships across Northern Virginia
- Updated regularly with dozens of student-friendly listings
- Opportunities in tech, government, business, healthcare, and more
- Minimum age varies by listing; most require at least 16 years of age
- Used by over 1 billion professionals worldwide and hosts 14+ million job listings
- Build a digital resume, follow companies, and connect with mentors and peers
- Create a free account and explore different career paths, grow your network, and get noticed by employers early
- Users must be at least 16 years old to create an account in the U.S.
- Connects students with nearly 1 million employers, including Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, startups, and nonprofits.
- Serves 15+ million students and partners with 1,500+ colleges and universities
- Sign up as a student and easily find internships and jobs that match your major, interests, and experience level
- Minimum age is typically 16; users must be affiliated with a partner college or university
- Connects users to 150,000+ nonprofits and community groups
- Features over 100,000 internships, volunteer roles, and entry-level jobs in fields like education, the environment, and human rights
- Create a free profile to explore mission-driven opportunities in nonprofits and public service
- No strict age minimum, but most opportunities are geared toward ages 16 and up
- Offers over 26,000 active registered programs in fields like healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, construction, and education
- Earn while you learn with paid, hands-on training and classroom instruction in high-demand industries
- Use the Apprenticeship Finder to search programs by location or industry
- Minimum age is 16 for most registered programs
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Offers career planning tools, job search help, and training info tailored to young adults aged 14–24 through the GetMyFuture portal
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Search thousands of short-term training programs, certifications, apprenticeships, and two- or four-year college degrees across the U.S.
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Features an internship search tool and connects users to local support programs, resume tips, and career guides to launch successful, informed job searches
More Opportunities
Beyond career exploration and internships, students can access a range of resources to support their growth. This includes local mentorship programs, learning opportunities, and volunteer pathways. These tools are here to guide and encourage students as they prepare for life after high school.
Mentorship Programs
THINK BIG FOR KIDS
Think Big for Kids is a program that supports students with career exploration, goal setting, and real-world experience. It connects participants with mentors in fields that match their interests, offering guidance and insight into different career paths. The program also includes career events, resume and interview prep, internships, and job shadowing opportunities. It’s designed to help students build confidence, gain useful skills, and take meaningful steps toward their futures.
Learning Opportunities
GENESYS WORKS
Genesys Works helps high school students gain real-world job experience before graduation through professional training and a paid internship. The program begins with eight weeks of summer training in business technology and communication skills. During senior year, students intern 20 hours per week at leading companies in fields like IT, business, and finance—earning up to $13,000 over the course of the year. Participants also receive over 60 hours of college and career coaching, plus ongoing alumni support as they transition into college and early careers.
DATAGEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The DataGen Scholars Program is a 12-month virtual experience that helps high school students build skills in data literacy, artificial intelligence (AI), and career readiness—all while earning up to $3,000. Students complete self-paced online modules, gain industry-recognized certifications, and receive mentorship and support in building a strong LinkedIn profile. A $200 refundable commitment fee is required to participate, but it can be waived with 20 hours of community service.
Looking to Volunteer?
VOLUNTEER FAIRFAX
Volunteer Fairfax makes it easy for kids, teens, and families to get involved in the community. The organization offers volunteer opportunities across Fairfax County that help young people give back, build empathy, and grow as leaders. As part of its mission to connect people with local needs, Volunteer Fairfax has an online database with over 300 opportunities—including many that are open to students under 18 and family groups.