IET Student Clubs, Associations and Competitions
Become a more competitive job candidate with the Career & Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI). Information sessions are taking place throughout March. See below for registration dates!
IET Student Clubs, Associations and Competitions
NOVA Clubs and Organizations at NOVA offer students the opportunity to join together in governmental, cultural, political and/or special interest issues settings and to assume various leadership roles in carrying out the mission of the group.
The Information Systems Security Association Northern Virginia Chapter (ISSA-NOVA) is an association of cybersecurity professionals. Our members live and work in one of the fastest-growing technology corridors in the nation.
Chartered in August 2002, we are a member-focused organization. ISSA-NOVA hosts monthly chapter meetings at which we invite notable cybersecurity experts to share the latest information on Infosec and related cyber topics. We also offer study groups on CISSP and various venues for collaboration and discourse.
Come check out one of our meetings!
CLRI is NOVA IET’s premier professional development program that provides students with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills, making them more competitive candidates for internships, jobs, and career pursuits.
The CLRI program is tailored for students in Information and Engineering Technologies (IET) and Computer Science programs, but all NOVA students can benefit from its professional development resources.
Spring 2025 Information Sessions
| Session Date and Time | Registration Link |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 4 at 12:00 p.m. | Register Here! |
| Monday, March 10 at 3:00 p.m. | Register Here! |
| Thursday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. | Register Here! |
| Tuesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. | Register Here! |
| Wednesday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m. | Register Here! |
Spring 2025 Workshops
CLRI workshops will be hosted on the Annandale Campus – CN 225. Workshops will take place every Tuesday and Thursday during March 27 - April 17 from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Workshops are led by industry leaders and subject matter experts. All students are welcome to attend any workshop.
| Workshop Dates | Topic |
|---|---|
| Thursday, March 27 | Kick-off Event |
| Tuesday, April 1 | Building Personal Brand |
| Thursday, April 3 | Effective Communication Skills |
| Tuesday, April 8 | Leadership Skills |
| Thursday, April 10 | Trends in IT and AI |
| Tuesday, April 15 | CLRI Alumni Panel |
| Thursday, April 17 | Technical Resume Building |
Capstone Event: Executive Mentoring & Networking Event (in-person only)
CLRI Completers will be invited to a Capstone Executive Mentoring & Networking Event on Thursday, May 1 from 3:00-5:30 p.m., where students will meet with several industry partners who are engaged in networking with CLRI completers.
CLRI Requirements
CLRI completion requirements include:
- Attending all 6 April workshops either in-person or virtually
- Complete and present a fun team project!
Optional Elements:
- March 27: Kick-off Event
- May 1: Executive Mentorship Event for CLRI Completers (although not required is it a great opportunity to put your new skills to practice and network with industry leading professionals)
IET students who complete the CLRI program receive priority consideration for paid internships with industry partners. This is an incredible opportunity to get career-ready!
Feedback from CLRI Graduates
CLRI helped me to get professional skills, to meet people, to make connections, to build my network. I really learned how to rebrand my résumé to attract hiring managers.
I want to get better, I want to be better, I want to do better, and I want an opportunity to come my way. This gave me the opportunity. It was a lot of fun and definitely built my confidence.
The nicest thing about CLRI is that you get to know a lot of people who are like-minded, and industry professionals who give you really good advice. It's definitely worth joining.
Questions about CLRI?
Contact the coordinators at clri@nvcc.edu.
AFCEA is a member-based, non-profit association for professionals that provides highly sought after thought leadership, engagement and networking opportunities. We focus on cyber, command, control, communications, computers and intelligence to address national and international security challenges.
AFCEA Faculty Advisor
Walter Pehrsson
WPehrsson@nvcc.edu
Data Center
The NOVA Data Center Operations group is for current students, faculty/staff, and alumni. Through this group we hope that students, alumni, and faculty/staff will stay connected to the NOVA community and the Data Center Operations Program.
IT
The NOVA Information Technology group is for student, alumni, and faculty/staff to facilitate professional networking, information sharing, and keeping in touch with NOVA IT activities and developments.
Mechatronics
The NOVA Mechatronics group is for student, alumni, and faculty/staff to establish professional networking, information sharing, and keeping in touch with NOVA Mechatronics activities and developments.
SkillsUSA is a NOVA club available to students across various programs—from computer programming to CPR/First Aid—with over 100 competitive events offered. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to prepare students for successful careers. It provides opportunities for students to practice their skills, compete, and develop workforce readiness.
SkillsUSA focuses on two main components:
- Competitions - Students showcase their skills by applying classroom knowledge to real-life scenarios. The Championships aim to reward excellence, involve industry professionals in evaluating student performance, and keep training relevant to employer needs.
- Leadership and Employability Skills Development - Students gain skills to succeed in their careers by applying technical job skills with professionalism. They also build networks with peers, the community, and future employers.
Why should NOVA students become members?
SkillsUSA empowers members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible citizens. It provides opportunities to develop personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics. The SkillsUSA vision is to produce the world’s most highly skilled workforce, offering every member a path to career success.
Membership registration for 2024-2025 is open now.
Competitions
To be eligible to compete at any level, students must be registered as SkillsUSA members.
- Competitions offered by SkillsUSA Virginia (organized by cluster area)
- National Competition Descriptions
District Competition
The District Competition Schedule is not yet released.
State Conference and Competition – April 2025
To qualify for the state conference, students must earn a spot at the district level.
National Leadership and Skills Conference – June 2025
To qualify for the national conference, students must earn a spot at the state level.
Questions?
Contact SkillsUSA advisors at novaskillsusa@nvcc.edu.