George Mason University

Careers at George Mason University

Students at George Mason University can take advantage of the many exciting internship and career opportunities in nearby Washington, DC. The nation’s capital is one of the largest centres of business on the East Coast. Northern Virginia is also a major centre for tech and business and is home to 15,600 tech firms and 11 Fortune 500 companies.

George Mason University’s many partnerships in the DC area and beyond give students numerous opportunities to work directly with industry and government leaders. This helps them gain valuable hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Major tech giants like Google and Amazon Web Services are also investing billions of dollars in tech infrastructure in Virginia, giving George Mason University students the opportunity to learn and grow their career among industry experts.

City Life at George Mason University

George Mason University’s Fairfax campus is both safe and quiet, while still being within commuting distance of Washington, DC. Students love the Fairfax campus because of its historical sites and museums, close to The White House and Capitol Building and varied shopping malls. Fairfax County also boasts many national parks, lush gardens and clean bodies of water.

Washington, DC, and nearby areas are also known for their multicultural neighbourhoods, including Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Ethiopia and Eden Centre. For those who enjoy sports, they can watch baseball and basketball games in Washington, DC. Foodies can try a variety of international cuisines in local restaurants. Whether students enjoy history or just want to visit world-famous museums, they can explore exhibitions at the nearby Smithsonian museums.

Student Support at George Mason University

International students enrolled at INTO George Mason will receive unparalleled support from the INTO George Mason staff. Located in the Ángel Cabrera Global Center (ACGC), INTO George Mason staff can help students with tutoring, academic advice, finding internships or any questions they might have. Originally designed as a hotel, the ACGC now houses classrooms, an international dining hall, student accommodations and many social spaces.

Students can also go to the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). Located in the ACGC, students can get one-on-one help with writing, math or other subjects. The LRC also has a computer lab and study space where students can borrow a laptop or work on group projects.

Facilities at George Mason University

George Mason University is committed to creating a pipeline for talent and innovation in the Northeastern United States. The university recently invested $250 million to expand its Mason Square campus. The newly renovated campus will feature a state-of-the-art School of Computing, as well as an innovation hub known as the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA). The IDIA will bring together entrepreneurs, researchers and business leaders to shape the digital future of societies.

In partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), George Mason University has opened a Renewable Energy Lab in Fuse at Mason Square. Here, students can explore, analyse and simulate data related to renewable energy sources.

Finally, students who want to be at the forefront of innovation and research can work on collaborative projects at the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX). MIX’s facilities include a Makerspace, Media Lab and Incubator. These facilities are available to any student, faculty or staff member at George Mason University.

Sports & Clubs at George Mason University

Students at George Mason University who want to play their favorite sport or try a new one can sign up for Mason club sports. Mason club sports are student-led organisations guided by Mason recreation staff, coaches and/or faculty and staff advisors. Mason Recreation accommodates 30+ club sports and boasts over 900 members in men’s, women’s and co-recreational organisations. Intramural sports games also regularly take place on campus. Intramural teams typically do not have practices, and games are played once a week over a 4- to 5-week season.

George Mason University also boasts more than 350 student organisations, giving students multiple opportunities to discover new interests and make friends on campus.

Sustainability at George Mason University

George Mason University’s sustainability initiatives are guided by the University Sustainability office. The office was launched in 2007 after the university signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. This committed George Mason to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

The University Sustainability office uses the strengths of George Mason University – namely innovation, responsiveness, flexibility and community strength – to provide leadership in environmental, social and economic stewardship on all its campuses. This mandate extends to all local and global communities that intersect with George Mason University.

In 2014, George Mason University was the first institution in Virginia to earn a ‘Gold’ rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The university received its third ‘Gold’ rating in a row in January 2021.