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Why Central Virginia is a Tech Hub
Central Virginia’s booming tech sector boasts major data centers and a strong network of professionals. These technologists have the resources and connections to launch their dream career while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.
“It’s a great spot in terms of livability,” says Eileen Krepkovich, senior research scientist at Barron Associates. “We have small towns, low traffic, lots of events and beautiful scenery. Attending networking events allows people to make meaningful connections. It’s common to encounter the same people at different events throughout the year. There are also a lot of learning opportunities, thanks to the proximity to the University of Virginia (UVA).”
Learn more about why you should start your tech career in Central Virginia.
1. World’s Data Center Hub
According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia hosts the largest data center market in the world and is home to 35% of all known hyperscale data centers worldwide. In Central Virginia, the Culpeper Technology Zone covers over 10 million square feet of proposed space – all designated for data centers, public work entities and educational opportunities. Amazon Web Services also recently committed to two data center campuses in Louisa County with a capital investment of $11 billion.
2. Outstanding Training Programs
UVA’s School of Data Science, the first data science school in the country, offers professional programs, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a doctoral program in data science. Within the school, faculty and students pursue high-impact research to further discovery, share knowledge and positively impact the world. Data science students have ample internship and collaboration opportunities.
Community colleges offer training in diverse STEM sectors and position students to accept entry-level tech jobs. For example, Germanna Community College offers programs for cybersecurity, IT and data technicians. Similarly, Piedmont Virginia Community College offers programs and degrees in IT, network support, computer science and programming.
“The jobs that fall within those sectors are higher-paying jobs,” says Katie Dulaney, Talent Director at Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development. “We want students to know that those higher-paying jobs exist here. They don’t have to leave Central Virginia and go to big cities to find meaningful work.”
3. Connections Through TechLink
Speaking of entry-level jobs, TechLink Central VA – an initiative of Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development that is partially funded by GO Virginia Region 9 – works to retain local talent by connecting regional employers with graduating UVA and community college students.
TechLink sends a weekly newsletter to its subscribers, mostly soon-to-be graduates, spotlighting businesses in the region as well as entry-level jobs and networking opportunities. Also, TechLink hosts networking and hiring events in collaboration with community partners, like UVA and Charlottesville Business Innovation Council.
Central Virginia Partnership is also partnering with UVA on the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) grant, which exists to promote internships for college students.
4. Abundant Career Opportunities
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports professional, scientific and technical services as one of Virginia’s top five industries. In Central Virginia, talent can find opportunities working for companies and entities like Apex Clean Energy, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Castle Hill Gaming, DataShapes, Har-Tru, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Klöckner Pentaplast, Lohmann Corporation, MITRE, and Virginia Diodes.
The Central VA Talent Collaborative serves as a vital hub, bringing together grant programs, employers and colleges to collaboratively address workforce needs and drive regional economic growth.
“That Talent Collaborative continues to morph and evolve,” Dulaney says. “I see that as a positive thing, as it shows growth and development in our region. We’ve created robust communication pathways that we will continue utilizing to share information between educational institutions, businesses, and students.”
5. Strong Community of Women
Tech talent finds community in the region through a number of organizations, including the Charlottesville Women in Tech (CWIT), an organization created by Krepkovich.
“There were no other tech groups focused on women at the time, so I joined forces with Kim Wilkens, who founded the local Tech-Girls organization, and we started holding meetups for women,” says Krepkovich, CWIT founder and board president. “The events took off immediately. There was clearly a need for this type of group in the community.”
Over 10 years later, the organization continues to grow.
“I encourage young professionals to get involved with a networking group that matches their interests because, often, there are opportunities out there that they’re not aware of until they start talking with folks who work in the field,” Krepkovich says. “We’ve had numerous CWIT members who were able to make big career changes by making connections at our events.”
6. Work-Life Balance
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With beautiful mountains, award-winning wineries and breweries, and a vibrant arts culture, Central Virginia offers myriad opportunities to rest and recharge after work. “The livability of the region makes it a great place to work, live and play,” Dulaney says. “We’re lucky to have the #4 public university in the country in our region, and we also have a plethora of hiking trails, music venues, amazing restaurants, parks, and festivals. Central Virginia has something for everyone.”
This article was originally published by Livibility.com.
