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- A former employee in the tech sector experienced two job redundancies in a span of two years before exiting the field.
- They express that the tech sphere has transitioned from fostering innovation to being heavily profit-driven, resulting in significant stress and fatigue.
- Seeking a healthier work-life equilibrium and meaningful impact, they accepted a position as a technology advisor for government entities.
This narrative is grounded in discussions with a technology consultant who previously worked at a renowned tech corporation. The identity and work history of the source are known to Business Insider but remain undisclosed for privacy reasons.
Having spent over ten years within Big Tech, I was among those who faced layoffs at my FAANG employer back in July 2022.
For individuals like myself, these job losses could be seen as serendipitous — I find relief in having been let go from an environment marked by high stress and burnout levels.
I didn’t immediately secure another position since the wave of layoffs led to hiring freezes amid market uncertainties.
Eventually, I found another role within tech but came to realize that I no longer wished to stay within this realm. The adage about tech being suited for younger professionals rang true during my experience.
Reflecting on My Entry into Tech: A Time of Passion
The workplaces where I began my career once championed initiatives that motivated creativity and ingenuity during working hours—this approach birthed numerous innovative products.
I witnessed firsthand how profoundly the landscape shifted over time.
The arrival of individuals from Wall Street and consulting firms signaled a remarkable pivot towards prioritizing profitability. By 2018, sweeping changes led many firms toward stringent cost-cutting measures responsible for tangible shifts across the industry’s culture.
The reign of passionate innovators faded as financial experts took charge. We soon adapted to their corporate ethos characterized by long hours filled with needless jargon aimed at maximizing output without regard for worker wellness or creativity.
A Personal Struggle with Burnout: My Experience
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I’m considered part of Generation Y-Z crossover (Zillennial) experiencing widespread burnout among peers.
Educated during economic downturns without boundaries set by Gen Z’s workplace expectations encouraged us merely to appease employers.
In June 2023—a critical juncture—I initiated short-term disability leave due chiefly to exhaustion following my second layoff post-FAANG.
Simply filling out requisite forms sufficed; this wasn’t my first medical leave—previously taken in 2019.
Burnout permeates through office vibes where colleagues resonate tension amplified under regular waves of layoffs coupled with hiring freezes.
As fellow employees fell victimized by workforce cuts—it felt obligatory upon me necessarily shouldering their once-shared workloads requiring constant collaboration—all sans additional compensation.
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A Second Layoff During Recovery: Reevaluating My Path Forward
This new set reality launched me into reconsideration mode regarding future decisions which ultimately steered me towards parting ways with technology altogether while embarking on six months traveling abroad soaking up diverse cultural experiences!
Selecting an economically favorable location bolstered self-sustaining endeavors allowing me access opportunities via tutoring—address scarcity predominating educator roles particularly around STEM disciplines globally recognized seeking improvement strategies! Through such immersion enriching experiences—which altered perceptions significantly emerged insights regarding proper life balances lacking domestic counterparts exists beyond these borders!
A crucial divergence existed whereby foreign cultures accentuated individual values’ prominence juxtaposed against America’s contrasting fixation solely centered upon relentless labor expediency devoid consideration regarding well-being priorities!
Pursuing New Paths Beyond Technology: A Desire To Contribute Meaningfully
It has become evident both personally driven aspirations shared among countless contacts seek forward-looking pathways transformative across alternate sectors distinctively primed deserve emphasis embracing contemporary innovations!
Thanks largely facilitating Big Tech tools—accessibility results improving lives further intersect fields spanning banking services community developments all thriving heightened efficiency principles inspired derived frameworks utilized effectively gaining traction implementation successfully!
I’ve noted previous peers transitioning gracefully toward government capacities exploring engagement humanitarian efforts alongside pre-existing demands harness education spanning STEM nurturing young industry talents fundamentally accountable future-oriented precipitating specific competencies directly rooted technological fluency learnings applicable broader community contexts beyond initial specialized focus yielding sustainable benefits catalyzing positive societal transformations!
While embracing newfound responsibilities aiding governmental programs driving modernization enabling adaptability responses populational needs emphasizing best practices promoting accountability remains fervently aligned goals reintegration possibilities always linger enticing remaining ever-watchful eye development potentialities beckoning through doors initially shut…
Since returning home—I’ve secured counseling around state/local agency infrastructures enhancing agility equipped technological solutions participating actively fellowship focusing responsibly inclusive methodologies speaking engagements complement published works authorially conveying wisdom attained!
Remaining buoyant navigating invisible lines consecutive surges unpredictably energizes making invaluable contributions crossing interdisciplinary bridges distinctively fulfilling urges restlessly contained awaiting discoveries awaited garner insights overcome earlier disillusionment rekindled optimism learning continues infinitely inciting growth arcs yearning persistently engage transcend enjoyable exploratory edges ahead waiting build together!
