In April, 2008, Andy Tempalski of Bellevue answered a classified ad for a watch repair technician, a position that did not call so much for knowledge of timepieces as it required work experience with intricate hand tools.

"I had been using small screwdrivers for computer repairs," Andy said. And based upon skills learned with computers, he was hired by Fast-Fix, a jewelry and watch repair shop located in an area shopping mall.

It was a job, but not much of a challenge. "I changed batteries, and I changed watch bands."