Friends,

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with WUSA9 at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority office in Tysons to discuss the exciting job opportunities available in Northern Virginia, particularly in Fairfax County.

Currently, there are more than 85,000 job openings in the region, with over half of them located in Fairfax County. Nearly 30% of these positions are in technology-related fields. Looking ahead, demand for skilled workers is expected to continue growing. To meet this need, we're partnering with our education institutions like Fairfax County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University to build a strong talent pipeline for the future. In addition, we’ve collaborated with over 100 universities across the country to attract even more talented individuals to Fairfax County.

Fairfax County is an ideal place to start or grow your career. With its high quality of life, it continues to attract new employers, making it one of the top places in the country to find a job. We also offer both virtual and in-person networking and hiring events, with all available positions listed at workinnorthernvirginia.com

To watch my full interview with WUSA9, visit: Companies in Northern Virginia are hiring for over 100,000 jobs! | wusa9.com  

• Korean American Day
• Affordable Housing Waitlist Now Accepting Applications
• 8 FCPS Students Named 2025 Regeneration Science Talent Search Scholars
• First Hike Photo Winners

What happened? January 13th is Korean American Day, a time to recognize the first Korean immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in 1903.

Tell me more! In Fairfax County, Korean is the third most spoken language, after English and Spanish. Virginia has the sixth-largest Korean population in the U.S., and the D.C. area is the third-largest Korean metro region in the country. Annandale and Centreville are full of Korean culture, from restaurants to businesses, making them key centers of the community. Korean Americans also play a big part in the County’s diverse AAPI population, which makes up 20.5% of Fairfax County.

Anything else? This week, Fairfax County took another step toward strengthening global ties by officially establishing a friendship agreement with Yong-in, South Korea. This partnership aims to foster economic and cultural exchanges, and we’re excited for the opportunities this new friendship will bring to Fairfax County.

From the Yong-in City friendship agreement signing.

What's happening? Older adults interested in applying for an opportunity to join a waitlist for select affordable housing properties now have the opportunity to do so.

Affordable housing waitlist applications opened Monday, January 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. for select properties. Applications will remain open through Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

For more information and how to apply, visit: Affordable Housing Waitlist Application Opportunities for Older Adults Coming Next Week

What’s happening? Eight students Fairfax County Public School students from Thomas Jefferson High School have been named scholars in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search. The students are part of a group of 300 selected from nearly 2,500 entrants.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the nation's top pre-college science competition, is run by the Society for Science & the Public. STS alumni include Nobel Prize laureates and recipients of the National Medal of Science.

Tell me more! Each scholar receives a $2,000 award, with matching funds for their school. On January 23, 40 finalists will be announced, who will then travel to Washington, D.C., in March for final judging and a chance to win up to $250,000. To read more, visit: Eight FCPS Students Named 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars | Fairfax County Public Schools

What happened? The Fairfax County Park Authority has announced its 2025 First Hike Photo Contest Winners! 

The annual First Hike Fairfax photo contest is jointly sponsored by the Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation as a way for residents to begin a new year with fitness and outdoor activity, while enjoying the experience with friends, neighbors and family. This year, more than 400 contestants submitted photos. To view this year’s winners, visit: Park Authority Announces First Hike Photo Contest Awards and Opens Voting for the People’s Choice Award | Park Authority

Anything else? You can view the complete collection of submissions on the First Hike Fairfax 2025 photo album Flickr page.

Director's Choice Award - Karen Downs, Frying Pan Farm Park.