Virginia is a hub for industries such as finance, defense, healthcare, and technology, making it an ideal state for graduates to launch their careers. With a mix of global corporations, healthcare leaders, and top academic institutions, Virginia offers diverse opportunities to develop skills and grow professionally.
This guide highlights Virginia’s leading employers using CareerDNA data, ranked by career growth scores, which reflect their ability to instill long-term potential, and two-year retention rates, which indicate workplace satisfaction and stability.
Career-Driving Employers in Virginia
- Freddie Mac
- Career Growth Score: 11.80 (highest in Virginia)
- Two-Year Probability: 55.24%
A leader in the housing finance industry, Freddie Mac provides graduates with opportunities in finance, data analytics, and corporate operations, fostering impactful career growth.
- Capital One
- Career Growth Score: 10.41
- Two-Year Probability: 51.80%
A top financial institution, Capital One offers graduates roles in data science, software development, and customer relations, supporting careers in finance and technology.
- Lockheed Martin
- Career Growth Score: 8.01
- Two-Year Probability: 60.74%
As a global leader in aerospace and defense, Lockheed Martin provides graduates with career paths in engineering, technology, and project management.
- Sentara Healthcare
- Career Growth Score: 6.92
- Two-Year Probability: 46.44%
Sentara Healthcare offers graduates roles in clinical care, healthcare administration, and research, fostering skill development in the healthcare sector.
- Northrop Grumman
- Career Growth Score: 5.40
- Two-Year Probability: 56.20%
A key player in the defense industry, Northrop Grumman provides graduates with opportunities in engineering, innovation, and technology solutions.
- University of Virginia
- Career Growth Score: 5.16
- Two-Year Probability: 33.94%
As a leading academic institution, the University of Virginia offers graduates opportunities in education, research, and administration, supporting careers in academia.
- Amazon (HQ2)
- Career Growth Score: 4.38
- Two-Year Probability: 25.27%
Amazon’s second headquarters provides graduates with opportunities in logistics, software development, and corporate strategy, making it a fast-paced environment for skill development.
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Career Growth Score: 3.70
- Two-Year Probability: 26.09%
VCU offers graduates career paths in research, education, and healthcare, fostering growth in academic and medical fields.
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Career Growth Score: 3.35
- Two-Year Probability: 45.99%
A leader in consulting and technology, Booz Allen Hamilton provides graduates with roles in data analytics, cybersecurity, and project management.
- Dominion Energy
- Career Growth Score: 0.00
- Two-Year Probability: 36.36%
Dominion Energy offers graduates opportunities in energy management, sustainability, and infrastructure, making it a strong choice for careers in the utilities sector.
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