Genesys Works Celebrates Class of 2025 Interns
Proud business leaders and family members celebrated the success of several FCPS students and staff at the annual Genesys Works National Capital Region Breaking Through Awards Gala on May 14. FCPS Ignite Partner, Genesys Works, provides pathways to career success for high school students through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships at local corporations and within the Genesys Works alumni network.
Students participating in the Genesys Works program engage in paid internships during their senior year in high school. The year-long internship puts their eight-week summer training into practice and further refines their skills as business and IT professionals — while providing valuable service to the company. Interns complete key projects, allowing companies to develop future talent and achieve long-term goals more effectively.
Sachin Khanal, a Herndon High School senior, is grateful to Genesys Works for, “providing a bridge between knowledge and experience. Genesys Works has given me the experience that employers value.” Sachin interned as a software engineer at Transurban during his senior year and now looks forward to studying at Virginia Tech in the fall.
The entire class of 2025 Genesys alumni achieved great feats during their internships, accruing more than 27,000 cumulative internship hours and 6,000 college and career coaching hours. “They find their voice, they speak up in meetings, they ask bold questions and become change makers,” reflected Caroline Rountree, senior community partnerships manager at the Washington Business Journal. “They turn tentative first steps into confident strides. We need to keep creating spaces where potential is seen, cultivated, and celebrated.”
While hundreds of high schoolers apply each year, it’s vital that Genesys Works has the corporate partners to meet this growing demand for internship opportunities. Connect with their corporate partnership team to get involved for the 2025-26 school year.
The 27 million annual visitors to Dulles International Airport are in for a new treat while they travel. On April 10, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), an FCPS Ignite Partner since 2022, enhanced the traveler experience by displaying art from students at 16 schools across the county, including 50 pieces from FCPS students.
The art brings the creativity and talent of local students to life, turning an airport into an inspiring gallery. “An airport is not always calming, but artwork calms the environment,” celebrated Richard Golinowski, vice president and manager of Dulles Airport.
“The arts are something we can’t separate from our human selves,” proclaimed Aaron Stratten, senior manager of K-12 Fine Arts at FCPS. “Our culture is embedded in the arts. We’re recognizing students participating in something that is deeply human: to explore ways of communication and self-expression.”
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FCPS is proud to partner with MWAA, which provides multi-faceted support to our students. Not only does MWAA amplify the arts, but they also provide needs-based donations and workforce development experiences like their annual career expos to expose students to airport careers, from operations to concessions, and public safety.
The Youth Art Walk will remain on display for one year in the departures hall, near the Saudi Airlines check-in. You can also visit the MWAA YouTube channel to view even more incredible FCPS student art.
(mid-left image) “9/5/24” by Fey, a Justice HS student.
(lower-right image) “Concealing” by Claire, a Centreville HS student.
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We are deeply grateful to all our amazing partners, dedicated staff, and vibrant community members who joined us for the 2025 FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, at Woodson High School! It was thrilling to see more than 1,100 students and caregivers in attendance.
The event was more than just a celebration — it was a fun, entertaining, and truly meaningful learning experience for everyone involved. From engaging activities like Zumba, riding hoverboards, and face painting to the valuable resources from each exhibitor that inspired learning and joy, the day was filled with inspiration and community spirit.
A special thank you to the 24 FCPS offices and 26 external community partners who showed up and made this event unforgettable. We also want to shout out our 78 student and adult volunteers who contributed over 400 cumulative service hours to the Summer Extravaganza.
The FCPS Office of Community Relations will continue to create opportunities where every family and student feels seen, supported, and connected. We’re also immensely grateful to Educate Fairfax for sponsoring the event.
Please reach out to FCPSpartnerships@fcps.edu if you would like to get on the early exhibitor list for 2026. We hope to see you next year!
Did you know that FCPS middle and high school students can learn the technical applications of their future jobs in the classroom? In fact, Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are offered in every middle and high school spanning topics like Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, Trade and Industrial Education, and JROTC.
In addition, there are advanced technical and specialized elective courses available at six High School Academies for students interested in pursuing coursework related to career pathways. From learning construction at a residential construction site to video and sound production, welding, or operating a licensed auto dealership —- FCPS students can get meaningful, hands-on, real-world experience that prepares them for life and work after high school. At the conclusion of CTE courses, students can even earn industry credentials by passing an industry-developed, industry-evaluated exam. During the 2023-24 school year, FCPS students earned more than 17,000 total credentials!
But these programs need local partners to continue delivering high-quality experiences for all students. Each year, CTE students seek internships and clinical placements to achieve the hours required to consider their work a “High-Quality Work-Based Learning experience”, per the Virginia Department of Education. Programs consistently need materials, equipment, and supply donations to create the most enriching learning moments.
“We welcome industry professionals to partner with us at our schools or to host FCPS teachers and students to deliver one-time or multi-session workshops, job shadows and/or workplace tours that allow students to visualize themselves in their future careers,” invites Dr. Whitney Ketchledge, senior manager of Career and Technical Education.
Our students are your future workforce. Email FCPSpartnerships@fcps.edu to start a conversation about how to partner with FCPS and support Career and Technical Education.
Think Big for Kids and Fairfax County Public Schools began an Ignite Partnership in 2023. The genesis of this partnership came through collaboration with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA).
Today, Think Big for Kids has expanded to serve students across seven middle schools in delivering industry-led career showcases. These interactive sessions are designed to raise awareness and expose students to a variety of industries and potential career paths. This initiative supports the FCPS Strategic Plan, Goal #5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation, which seeks to ensure our students have the skills to navigate, adapt, and innovate for a sustainable future post-graduation.
On May 1, Gerald Irish, a senior engineering manager at Microsoft, taught Holmes Middle School students how to build and program a small robot car to follow a path created by the students. Gerald sparked passion and innovation through hands-on learning that tapped critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
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“A big thank you to Microsoft for presenting at Holmes Middle School for the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students as part of the Think Big Career Showcase!” said Holmes Art Teacher and AVID Instructor Jason Hutto. “Student groups had a blast constructing and programming a small robot car. Think Big Career Showcases have provided these students with opportunities throughout the year to interact with local businesses as they consider life beyond high school.”
Think Big for Kids aims to expand across more FCPS middle schools, but more local businesses are needed as partners to deliver these unique career showcase experiences to FCPS students. If your business is interested in participating in Think Big for Kids, please contact Layla Mailoudi, K-12 specialist at the FCEDA, at lmailoudi@fceda.org.
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