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Robert Depczenski * Coordinator j for * Counseling at? •’ NbriHdrti * •‘Virginia Community College’s Loudoun Campus, also encounters many people interested in making the mid-career switch to the high-tech world.
“Everyone knows it’s out there,” he said. “They read about the shortages of employees. Many are retired, their careers are going nowhere or they’ve been out of the work world and want to return.”
Depczenski outlined an array of training options: non-credit certificate programs that require four to five intensive (three day weekend) courses, a fast-track program aimed at addressing the worker shortage, and two-year programs in information systems technology or computer science. “They have no idea there are so many paths,” Depczenski continued, “and they have to decide which is best for what they want to do.”
Agatha Taormina, director of NOVA’s Learning Resources, referred to a midlevel manager at a gas company who made a dramatic career shift. Now a web designer for a high tech firm, the former manager advanced relatively quickly.
While many career swaps prove rewarding, Depczenski issues a word of caution.
“The path has to be congruent with their value systems,” he said. “Some people just look at the dollar signs, rush in and wind up disappointed. You have to ask yourself, “will it give me satisfaction in the long run?’ That’s a really critical question.”
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