After a government order stopped foreign aid, Putra lost his job and faced an uncertain future, not just for himself, but also for his young family. With a two-year-old son at home and the high costs of professional development standing in his way, Putra turned to a familiar foundation: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).

As a NOVA alumnus who first studied liberal arts and international relations before transferring to George Mason University to complete a degree in International Global Affairs, Putra had already experienced the value NOVA offered. But it was through the NOVAnext program, that he discovered new possibilities, this time, with a focus on reskilling.

Putra enrolled in a fully online Project Management Professional (PMP) certification course, funded by a NOVAnext scholarship designed to support displaced federal workers and contractors in Virginia. Delivered intensively over five days from 9 to 5, the course offered both the depth and flexibility he needed. “The structure allowed me to focus deeply while still being present as a parent,” he said. “It gave me a major confidence boost and the credentials to pursue opportunities I hadn’t considered before.”

The certification, he emphasized, doesn’t guarantee a job, but it opens doors. It gave him a renewed sense of purpose, practical skills, and a competitive edge as he considered new career pathways outside his previous work in international development.

Putra’s journey highlights a key message: NOVA isn’t just a starting point, it’s a place for reinvention. Through NOVAnext, he was able to retool his career while managing the responsibilities of family life, a balance that many mid-career professionals struggle to achieve.

“My experience is a clear example of impact,” Putra shares. “The flexibility, accessibility, and targeted support of programs like NOVAnext provided real, measurable outcomes for someone like me, someone often overlooked in traditional higher education narratives.”

Putra’s story, like that of many NOVA students and alumni. It’s a testament to what’s possible when education meets people where they are, at any stage in life.

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