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Fairfax County Public Schools welcomed its first group of summer interns July 1, launching a highly competitive paid program for current students and recent graduates.

Nearly 950 people applied for the six-week internship. Chief of Human Resources William Solomon and Superintendent Michelle Reid greeted the selected interns on their first day.

“You are here because we value your perspectives, your voices, and your talents, and we can’t wait to see how you’ll shine as part of Team FCPS!” Reid told the group.

Human Resources Business Partner and Internship Coordinator Celeste Jones leads the program. Applicants identified the participating department where they hoped to work, with placements available in Capital Programs and Planning, the Chief Academic Office, Educate Fairfax, Facilities Management, Human Resources, Procurement Services, Professional Learning Summer Events, School Operations, School Safety and Security, and Student Activities and Athletics.

Along with hands-on assignments and work on key projects, the interns will attend professional-development sessions covering communication, personal finance, résumé writing, and networking. Apple Federal Credit Union and Educate Fairfax are sponsoring the sessions. Participants will also receive professional headshots for their digital portfolios.

Dylan Gwyn, a 2025 Westfield High School graduate, joined the Office of School Safety and Security ahead of studying criminal justice at Radford University.

“I wanted to do this internship to build my résumé and start [learning about the workforce] early,” Gwyn said. “I already know I’m studying criminal justice [at Radford University] next year, so what better team to learn more about [it] than Safety and Security?”

The internship supports Goal 5 of the school system’s 2023-30 Strategic Plan, Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation, which focuses on preparing students for life after high school.