tech layoffs: Software engineer laid off twice in 8 months seeks career reset — is healthcare the safest bet? Internet weighs in
The engineer shared that his first dismissal took place in July, when, in his own words, he was laid off. my dream job As a software engineer, just one day before undergoing major surgery. The timing made it difficult to cope on many fronts.
He said it was difficult to apply for new positions right away due to the two-week recovery period. He eventually managed to find a temporary job as an AI commentator. Although the position paid significantly less than his previous position, it allowed him to cover basic expenses.
But the feeling of stability was short-lived.
“Fast forward to today,” he wrote, explaining that in a meeting with the team leader and HR, he was informed that his position had been eliminated due to reduced staff numbers. What made the circumstances even more frustrating, he added, was that performance metrics showed he was among the top contributors.
“I’m extremely disappointed, but not really surprised,” the engineer said, noting that layoffs are happening “everywhere in tech” right now.
‘What’s the point anymore?’
Repeated job losses have led him to question the long-term sustainability of being in the industry. While he planned to continue his job search, he had doubts about whether the cycle of layoffs and anxiety would repeat.
He also revealed that he was considering returning to school for healthcare, which he felt offered more stability. The concept does not lack emotional weight. Walking away from his four-year computer science degree and five years of development experience feels like abandoning years of effort to him.
Still, he said peace of mind is starting to outweigh his fear of starting over.
She turned to the online community for advice and encouragement, noting that many others are dealing with similar challenges.
What users say
The post drew immediate backlash from others who said the experience resonated deeply.
One user commented: “It’s not a waste. You can use your skills for EHRs in healthcare. I don’t have a computer background. My background is in healthcare. But I’m computer literate. There are a lot of remote IT jobs in healthcare. I work completely remotely.”
Another user wrote: “I’m about to get fired from my second job in a row… it’s tough out there.”
One user said: “Why not look for IT-related jobs in Healthcare? Hospitals and pharmacies have specialized computer systems and components that require ongoing care and maintenance. Companies like EPIC may be options”
Another said: “Go back to school and make it happen. I graduated with a computer science degree in 2001. Because of the dot com crisis, I had to throw that degree out the window and went back to accounting and finance. Best thing I ever did.”
One user quoted: “I wish companies would cut jobs as a strategy to raise their stock prices.”
FAQ:
Q1. Why are layoffs becoming so common in tech?
Companies are restructuring due to economic pressures and changing priorities. Cost cutting often affects even high-performing employees.
Q2. Are layoffs always linked to poor performance?
No, some layoffs are due to organizational or financial decisions. Performance measurements don’t always protect employees.
