Whether you've just been qualified to use calibration management software at a respected university or you're an electrical engineer from the Midwest looking for a change of pace and perhaps a shot at some government contracts, Arlington, Virginia is for you. Though technology isn't the city's biggest field (its proximity to Washington D.C. practically guarantees it will be government) it is a large source of jobs for the approximately 209,000 people who call this urban county home.

Especially for technology specialists, a move, Arlington, VA, is an excellent bet for finding a job. Not only is the unemployment rate significantly below the Virginia average, the city has also been rated among Business Week's safest cities in which to weather a recession. If the choices your peers make are evidence in a city's favor, over 35% of Arlington residents have graduate degrees in disciplines ranging from electronic circuit design to political science, making it one of America's most educated cities. Now that's what we call a smart choice!

For those of you who have definitely decided upon Arlington as your future home, here are some tips as to where you might find a technology job that will support you during your real estate purchase.

Government

The federal government is the single largest source of jobs in Arlington, and the technology sector is no exception. The National Science Foundation, located in Ballston, is the nation's official institute for scientific research and development and is linked to several top science universities nationwide. Openings there will tend to be of the high science persuasion (not like in Toronto, CD replication is definitely not on the menu) and employees will have to go through a lengthy application and vetting process. At the local level, the Arlington County government maintains a Department of Technology which handles application, infrastructure, networking, and planning. Jobs there can be found on the city website.

Private Sector

Defense contracting is another technology industry that does very well in Arlington thanks to the presence of Washington D.C. and its federal funding agencies across the river. While aerospace giants like BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin will have some openings of the group collaboration software soft-computer variety, most positions in this industry will be hard development/research, manufacturing and testing, especially of military hardware such as radars, airplanes, guidance systems, and other weapons. Both companies employ about 1,500 people apiece. Options for applying for a job with one of these firms are through their website and through executive placement agencies.

Education

There are such big technology names in the fields of applied and theoretical science here that many technology job seekers forget about the importance of education. Schools in Arlington like Marymont University and Strayer University need qualified professionals to teach students about electronic design and search engine marketing. Canada's schools can't be allowed to steal all our best educators, so do look into this possibility. If you're not graduate degree qualified, you can always seek a position at a career training institute like Applied Career Training or the University of Management and Technology.