Data Center, Information Technology & Security (D.I.T.S.) Council

Description

Join the Data Center, Information Technology & Security (DITS) Council for a discussion on workforce development in the region’s growing data center industry. Hear directly from Northern Virginia Community College ET Scholars now working as Site Engineers at Digital Realty as they share their path from classroom training to full-time careers. This conversation will highlight the real journey from education to employment in one of the region’s fastest-growing industries—data centers.

Featured Speakers:

• Ted Bourne – Site Engineer I, Digital Realty | Current NVCC ET Scholar (Graduating May 2026)
• Fernando Cueva Menjivar – Site Engineer I, Digital Realty | NVCC ET Scholars Program Graduate (Class of 2025)

This discussion will be moderated by Dr. Paula Ford.

What to Expect

The Journey: From Classroom to Cloud
Hear firsthand how these professionals discovered the ET Scholars Program and what led them to pursue careers in the data center industry.

The ET Scholar Experience
Gain insight into the program’s hands-on curriculum and the impact of its zero-cost model, including tuition support and professional development resources.

The Bridge: Internship & Real-World Training
Learn what it’s like to step into a Digital Realty internship, including:

• A day in the life of a data center intern
• Technical skills gained such as power systems, cooling infrastructure, and security protocols
• The transition from classroom theory to live, mission-critical environments

The Destination: Full-Time Careers
Explore the path from intern to full-time employee, including:

• Navigating the hiring process
• Company culture and what it means to work at a global leader like Digital Realty
• Career growth and advancement opportunities within the industry

Interactive Q&A Session
Bring your questions and engage directly with the speakers and moderator. Dr. Paula Ford will also provide additional insight from the NVCC perspective.

Thank you to our sponsors, Digital Realty and American Pest!

Future members, please reach out to the Director of Membership Sales, Heather Stietzel, at hstietzel@pwchamber.org for more information.