2026 Junior Associate cohort arrives
Nurturing emerging talent should focus on the very beginning, when a teenager is starting to think about their career path. That's why, in addition to programs for college students and professionals just entering the workforce, VITA offers a unique development opportunity for high schoolers.
VITA's immersive junior associate program gives teens hands-on experience in a professional setting so they get a head start on becoming Virginia's next generation of leaders and innovators.
The new year ushered in a new group of junior associates at VITA. The 2026 cohort includes eight high school juniors working across the agency in administration, finance and IT. They hail from public and private schools in Henrico and Chesterfield counties, including Deep Run High School Center for Information Technology, Collegiate High School and Matoaca High School.
Students shadow professionals in various roles - from human resources to cloud solutions to communications to cybersecurity - to better understand how those functions operate within a state agency. By attending meetings, working on projects and participating in trainings, high schoolers build foundational skills to help them decide on their career trajectory. In the process, they receive mentorship from professionals, hone their collaboration and problem-solving skills and gain confidence about working in an office setting, all while serving Virginia through their work.
The connections students make while part of VITA's junior associate program will have long-lasting positive impacts throughout their career, one that could include VITA. Students have the possibility of being part of VITA's other emerging talent programs and after college, they may even get the full-time chance to help VITA transform ideas into real-world impact.
Learn more about the benefits of the junior associate program from a member of the 2025 cohort on VITA's YouTube page.
To learn more about VITA's emerging talent programs, please visit the careers section of our website.