A key aspect of our recruitment strategy revolves around nurturing strategic partnerships with universities nationwide that align with our corporate values and enable us to identify the most exceptional talent. Virginia Tech shines as a prominent institution in this endeavor, renowned for its commitment to innovation and its robust engineering programs that prepare graduates to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation across various industries.
Join us in an exclusive Q&A session featuring Anna S., one of our software engineers and a dedicated Virginia Tech alum. She will offer valuable insights into her journey from Virginia Tech to Parsons, shedding light on her role as a Hokie ambassador and more.
What is your current role at Parsons?
I’m currently a software developer and team lead on the Access Management System (AMS) project for Parsons’ Cybersecurity Group in D&I.
What was your career journey from Virginia Tech to Parsons?
My career journey was a little unique to get to Parsons! At Virginia Tech’s annual Engineering Expo, I found a small company called BlackHorse Solutions. I loved my interview I had with them, and they offered me a job the next day! I accepted the internship the summer before my senior year. I loved working for a company that put so much focus on serving our country and helping keep our troops safe. When I was offered a full-time position, I accepted. About a year and a half later, Parsons acquired BlackHorse, and I’ve been at Parsons ever since.
What’s your current involvement with your alma mater? What are some ways you bring awareness of Parsons to current students?
I try my best to stay as involved at Virginia Tech as I can! As a crazy Hokie, I’m still a season ticket holder and proudly root on my Hokies at all the football games. I’m also on the DC Young Alumni Board to help our Hokies network and stay connected in the area. I advocate for interns, and I’ve participated in the Engineering Expo every year since I graduated. I was given the opportunity to start my career at Expo, and I want to help the next group of engineers get that opportunity as well.
How did your experience at Virginia Tech help chart your career path? What unique aspects of Virginia Tech can you tell us about?
Virginia Tech set me up for success through some amazing classes that gave me a great foundation in engineering, software development, and project design. However, the most unique part of my time at Virginia Tech was the organizations that gave me unique skills I would never have learned in a classroom. I was a part of Hokie Ambassadors, the campus tour guides, which gave me the opportunity to run one of the largest student-run organizations, plan events that brought 10,000 visitors to campus, and speak to a full Burruss Auditorium. These skills prepared me to travel to different military bases and train our customers on the software I’ve helped develop.
What’s the most important thing you learned at Virginia Tech? Tell us about how you bring that to your work at Parsons.
The most important thing I learned at Virginia Tech is the foundations of being an engineer, specifically how to be a software developer.
What’s one piece of advice you would share with college students?
Find your passions both inside and outside of the classroom and explore them. If I had listened to people say that my love for Virginia Tech wouldn’t help me in my career, there’s no way I’d be where I am today. I found a way to use my passion for Virginia Tech to work on my public speaking and serve my community. I’ve been able to network through my love for Virginia Tech (we have a lot of Hokies here at Parsons!), and I’ve had the honor to help recruit the next generation of Hokies.
Are you involved with any professional and/or school organizations that you’d like to share?
I’m an active part of the Alumni Association, and it’s a great way to stay connected to our favorite community. If you’re still at school, I recommend becoming a Hokie Ambassador. It’s the best group of people!
If you were a recruiter, what’s one thing about Parsons you’d brag about to college grads?
I’d brag about how awesome my team is!
Keep an eye out for more exciting employee spotlights throughout the month as we feature Parsons alumni from other outstanding institutions, like Stevens Tech, Colorado School of Mines, and Purdue University. And be sure to catch us on these campuses at various recruiting events.
Want to learn more about Parsons and our opportunities? Check out our Early Talent Program and Life at Parsons pages.