I’m Quitting Big Tech After a Decade in the Industry and Two Layoffs

I couldn’t find another job right away. Layoffs were happening in the tech industry, and companies were starting to freeze hiring as uncertainty built up in the market.

I ended up taking another tech job but realized I didn’t want to be in the industry anymore. It’s true that they say technology is a young person’s game.

I remember when I first started in tech, it was filled with people who were passionate about computing and innovation.

The company I worked for had initiatives to encourage creativity and innovation within the company during work hours, which resulted in many new products.

I have seen technology change before my eyes.

People from Wall Street and consulting firms have started moving into tech as they realize it’s a great place to work. In 2018, we saw a clear shift towards more profitable cost-cutting programs.

The reign of the nerds was over, and finance people and accountants quickly took their place. They also brought with them the corporate culture of long hours, long face-to-face meetings, and technical jargon.

I’ve been off work twice in my career due to burnout.

I’m a Zillennial and I’ve seen the burnout crisis hit our generation. Many of us graduated during a bad economy and didn’t have the same boundaries in the workplace as Gen Zers. We were taught to do what was necessary to satisfy the company.

In June 2023, I took short-term disability leave from a job I got due to burnout after being fired from a FAANG. All I had to do was submit basic disability paperwork to HR. I also took sick leave earlier in my career, in 2019.

As a frontline worker, I can see and feel the burnout and resentment among my colleagues, and the distinct atmosphere of fear that hangs over every layoff or hiring freeze.

As people around me were laid off, I was asked to take over their responsibilities. I had to deal with partners and clients, and the more people who left, the more clients I had to take on without any additional compensation.

He was fired again while on sick leave.

I had to reconsider my next move: I decided to leave tech and spend six months abroad learning about a new culture.

The country I was assigned to had a strong US dollar and people were looking for new talent. I didn’t have the personal time or opportunity to leave the US. Even though I had applied for relocations in some of my previous jobs, they were never approved.

I took a part-time job as a tutor and teacher; there is a teacher shortage, especially in STEM fields. I realized I could explore a different way of life and bring more balance to the corporate culture.

A big difference between the work culture here and the US is that people here prioritize themselves and their happiness, whereas Americans do the opposite.

I moved back to the US because my visa couldn’t be extended and continuing to live abroad was taking a toll on my mental state, and I decided the difference between the two countries wasn’t worth spending even more money on immigration.

Many people are leaving the tech industry for jobs that allow them to give back to their communities.

Now is the time for me and many of the people I know to branch out into other industries. It’s not all about technology. Many other industries are thirsty for innovation, modernization and change management.

The big tech companies’ apps are so easy to use, it would be great if we could spread that ease of use to banking, social services and governments. I’ve heard stories of people whose contracts weren’t renewed at other big tech companies now working in the government sector and becoming diplomats. There’s also an opportunity to teach young people about STEM and to make the young workforce tech-savvy.

I’d love to bring technology and efficiency improvements to other industries, and if the culture in tech changes, I might consider coming back.

Since returning to the U.S., I have found a new job advising state and local governments on technology modernization and agility, I have participated in fellowship programs focused on responsible technology, I am a speaker, and I have published two books.

I always have the option to go back to tech.