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More than 1,400 high school students met nearly 200 industry professionals at the sixth annual Instruction 2 Industry Future Ready Conference in Fairfax, gaining a close look at careers and the steps needed to pursue them.

About 600 Fairfax County Public Schools students attended the event at the Inova Conference Center. Hosted by Inova and Virginia Ed Strategies in partnership with Northern Virginia school districts, the conference brought together representatives from more than 140 local businesses and organizations.

Students explored jobs in construction, public safety and service, arts and entertainment, design, energy and natural resources, health care, and human services. Conversations with professionals covered workplace responsibilities, essential skills, educational requirements, and possible routes into each field.

The event also offered optional rapid-fire mock interviews, allowing students to practice communicating with employers, receive feedback, and build confidence.

“I think this opportunity is a wonderful experience to get the exposure in all of the different career clusters, and see which one suits you best,” said Guwani, a senior at Annandale High School.

Fellow Annandale senior Giang attended to investigate potential college majors and make professional connections.

Several students arrived with specific career plans. Hussna, a Falls Church High School senior who works as a pharmacy technician, hoped the conference would help her advance toward a health care career.

“I think this conference is great and has a lot of opportunities, and I think this is a great idea to help the students,” Hussna said. “I am here to get myself a position in Inova Hospital.”

Fariha, a McLean High School senior who takes classes at Falls Church Academy and works at Starbucks, also wants to enter health care.

“My goal is to get a job at Inova and go to NOVA Community College,” she said.

Other attendees were preparing to move directly into the workforce. Aliya, a Falls Church High School senior, called the event “the best opportunity for a young professional who wants to start working right after graduation.”

Centreville High School Assistant Principal Montell Brown said the conference exposes students to career fields and postsecondary options they might not encounter inside school.

“It has allowed their eyes to be opened to many different worlds of possibilities,” Brown said.

The conference supports efforts by Fairfax County Public Schools to expand college and career planning under Goal 5 of its 2023-30 strategic plan.