This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a tech advisor and former employee at a household-name tech company. The source's name and employment history are known to Business Insider but are not named to protect their privacy.
I worked in Big Tech for over a decade and was one of many laid off from a FAANG company in July 2022.
For some people like me, the tech layoffs were a blessing. I'm glad I was laid off from my high-burnout, high-stress tech job.
I didn't get another job right away. The tech layoff waterfall started, and companies start hiring freezes when there's fear in the market.
Eventually, I got another tech job but realized I no longer wanted to be in the industry. What they say about tech being a young person's game is true.
I remember entering tech when it was a bunch of people who were passionate about computing and innovation
The companies I worked for used to have initiatives that encouraged creativity and innovation within the company during company hours. This fostered a lot of new products.
I watched tech change before my eyes.
As people from Wall Street and consulting firms saw that tech was a good industry to work in, they started to move into the tech landscape. In 2018, there was a tangible shift toward more profitable and cost-cutting programs.
The rule of the nerds was over — the finance bros and accountants soon took over. They also brought their company culture: long hours, lots of face time, and lots of jargon.
I've been on medical leave for burnout twice in my career
I'm a Zillennial, and I've seen a burnout crisis hit my generation. Many of us graduated when the economy was bad, and we didn't have the boundaries that Gen Z has in the workplace. We were taught to do what it takes to make the company happy.
In June 2023, I went on short-term disability leave from the job I got after my FAANG layoff for burnout reasons. I just had to file basic paperwork for disability with HR. I also took medical leave earlier in my career, in 2019.
As an employee on the ground, you can see and feel burnout and resentment in your fellow employees, and a distinct atmosphere of fear during every layoff and hiring freeze.
As people around me got laid off, I was expected to absorb their responsibilities. I had to interface with partners and clients, and the more people left, the more clients I had to take on without any additional pay.
I was laid off again during my medical leave
I had to reevaluate my next move. I decided to leave tech and spend six months abroad learning about a new culture.
I went to a country where the US dollar was strong, and the people were hungry for new talent. I never had the personal time or opportunity to leave the US. Even though I'd submitted for transfers in some of my previous jobs, they were never approved.
I got a part-time job tutoring and teaching. There's a widespread shortage of teachers, especially in STEM. I saw a different way of living life and observed that we could institute more balance into our corporate culture.
One big difference between the US and this country's work culture is the people there prioritize themselves and their well-being. Americans are the opposite.
I returned to the US because my visa couldn't be extended, and continuing to live abroad takes a toll on your mindset. I decided the difference between the two countries was not worth the effort to spend more on immigration.
Many people are leaving tech for industries where they can give back to the community
It's time for me — and many others I know — to step out into other industries. Tech isn't everything; many other industries are hungry for innovation, modernization, and change management.
Big Tech apps are so easy to use, and it'd be wonderful to spread that ease of use to banking, social services, and government. I've heard about people whose contracts weren't renewed at other Big Tech companies who are now working in the government sector and transitioning into diplomacy. There are also opportunities to teach young people about STEM and get the younger workforce skilled in technology.
I want to bring technical and efficiency improvements to other industries. If the culture in tech changes, I might consider coming back.
Since I've been back in the US, I got a new job advising on tech for state and local governments to help them modernize their technical agility. I'm part of a fellowship program focusing on responsible technology, and I'm a speaker. I've also published two books.
I always have the option to go back into tech.
