The recent opening of three computer-chip manufacturing facilities in Virginia has also strengthened the region's ranking in the hardware industry. And thanks to the explosive growth of the Internet, opportunities abound for workers who can administer a network, manage a Web server, or design a home page. If you're still in school, it's not too late to sign up for the shop class of the 21st century. If you're over 55, Green Thumb, a national nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., will be establishing three pilot sites where low-income individuals ages 55 and older can receive IT training, job counseling, placement and support services. Then again, you may not even have to train before you apply.
Some employers are willing to go out on a limb and accept people who simply exude a tech aura.
But first, you might want to double-check that you've got what it takes. Before you enroll in a technical training course, you should determine whether or not you've got the aptitude for a high-tech career. Here is some advice for embarking down the tech trail. Get yourself tested. While it's true that there is a tremendous demand for high-tech workers, working in this field can be tremendously demanding.