#careerpivot

I have seen the futute of AI and ML and it doesn't include you. If you work in the desktop/server space, probably the lower levels of networking, then its time to retrain for a new career outside of IT.
Sorry to be blunt but your roles are already being automated by better companies than DXC, companies that have invested in AI and ML from early on.

Received the notification of my last day Feb 6th. I wish everyone the best here. It was not my ideal place to work but I came here 2+ years ago thinking it might grow on me. On to the next thing.

With American tech sector shedding another hundred thousand + jobs this year, what is a techie supposed to do next? Since the planet is on course for a war, how hard is it for civilians to work in the military? Sigint is one of my specialties

Stop waiting and do something about it. Update the resume, start looking and leave. There is life after Cigna / Evernorth or whatever it's called. It's one of the best things I've done! The stress you're putting yourself through is just not worth it. Good luck! You're welcome!

I know it's not a fun topic, but with everything happening, it's probably smart to think about your next move. For some of us, that might mean taking a step back to learn new skills or even switching to a role with a better long-term future, even if the pay isn't perfect right now. The goal is to make sure you're still valuable on your own terms for the rest of your career. It's not fun, but that's what I've been focusing on.

Should have went for something that wasn’t going to have me stuck in a dead end contract software developer/full stack developer role in a sector that’s full of layoffs.

Where did you end up going? How were you able to transfer your skillsets to a new career?

I went thru several layoffs with Comcast and each time I scrambled to "get back in". In hindsight, I should have let go and moved on much sooner. It's just a bad relationship, let it go, your new work family is waiting for you! I know for some of us older folks it can be difficult to recover, but trust me, you will. You might have to do something different, you might make less, but you will be in a better place. You should be proud of the work you did for them, but it's time to be open to what's next for you.

I was an account executive in Dells 3rd party software group. Been with Dell over 22 years not sure what comes next at my age

I am so sick of my current role. Any good jobs out there for CL 28 and 29?

In contemplating my future after being laid off from EJ, relying on a small severance and my depleting savings, I can see how people do something to go to prison. They will have shelter, food, daily exercise, health insurance, no utility or car payments and, I can study for a degree - even a law degree - without incurring any debt. Maybe not a bad gig....I'll have PP and DC to thank for this opportunity!

After a lot of thinking, I've accepted an offer from a new company. It was tough, but the layoffs and lack of any real path forward here made the choice clearer. I'm really looking forward to a fresh start where I can actually focus on doing good work. I wish everyone the very best.

I just wish they would let people volunteer to be let go with severance. I’ve been at TMO (Lvl 7 in a headquarters role) for 10 years. There are very limited opportunities to change roles and even fewer opportunities for advancement. At this point, I’m ready to cut my losses and try something different as I don’t want to be miserable the rest of my working life or worse, be let go when I’m older when the chances of retooling or finding something else will be more challenging. At this point, regardless if I’m an active employee or not, my attention will be spent finding alternative options.

Got laid off earlier this year and initially felt like the rug was pulled from under me. After months of grinding job-search, I landed a more flexible, less stressful gig. Fewer perks, but more time with family, less pressure, better work-life balance. I won’t say I’m totally healed, but some part of me feels like I’m finally breathing again.

Even though I'm still employed, the constant wave of cuts keeps my nerves high all the time. It's really hard to shake the idea that I’m next. Saving aggressively and keeping my resume ready has now become routine. Strange how normal this mentality feels now.

If you were reorged (moved to another department without applying / not your choice) and it’s not working out. Can you apply to another position within the company if it’s been less than a year? I know generally you should wait a year to apply but this role is not working for me at all. I want to go back to a similar role I was in before and willing to take a pay cut. Any thoughts or experience you could share would be helpful.

From here, it’s only going down. Everything is changing so fast, and we’re nowhere near keeping up. If you’re smart, you’re already hunting for a new opportunity, because waiting around is just going to mean going down with this ship. At this point, it’s not a question of if it sinks, but when, and being proactive is the only way to have any control over what happens next.

I hate having to look for a job at 55. I have a huge problem with interviews because I can completely tank them every single time, no matter how much I prepare. The thought of having to face another one makes my stomach twist and my anxiety spike, and I dread every second leading up to it because I know there’s a very real chance I’ll blow it again. I hate this.

Hello relatively new to Citi,worked hard last year.. from last 3 months my manager is unnecessary escalating things (earlier he was ok) now another peer (gave multiple prod issues,bring the system down in production once) is getting promoted it seems. I definitely did more than him..and in 1-2 scenario my manager asked me to help. Looks like I took one of the wrong decision 4 years ago.. what you guys do in this situation? Start looking for the next one?

A lot of you knew this day was coming. Seeing all the panic post and comments just says, no one prepared for what could come. Verizon is a mega business and they will cuts ties in a second. If you’re let go, look at it as a blessing. I left Verizon and thankful I’m not dealing with this. I’ll end it with, at first I was scared, time went by and it was the absolute best decision. Blessing to you all

Folks with 10+ years tenure…who can say they’re enjoying themselves right now? How many are merely holding on in the hope of redundancy? Anyone contemplating a future beyond the IT industry?

Am I alone?

Now I actually feel relieved. I’m not even all that scared about what’s next. There was so much pressure and focus on just keeping the job that I forgot how unhappy I really was at Target. I know the grass may not be greener, and finding another job won’t be easy, like it isn’t for anyone right now, but I still feel better for it. Sometimes change is necessary for your own clarity and sanity. In any case, wishing the best to everyone, both those who were let go and those who stayed.

If you're early or mid career think longer term about the implications of a shrinking oil and gas industry, and where you want to be in the future. This will NOT be the last round of layoffs if history is any guide. Do not wait too late to transition to something else with more long term promise. Don't box yourself into a role that will not translate to another one elsewhere. It is quite rare that you will make it past 55 (or even 50) in this industry and by then it would be too difficult to pivot.

Sound advice. OP: @c8+1ka0j1k60

Losing my job in the past taught me real quick that nobody is as safe as they think they are, and the moment you settle in, that is when the rug gets pulled. I have been hit twice over the years, and both times I walked around thinking I was set and maybe even a little too sure of myself, which only made the blow land harder. These days I keep my resume fresh, my contacts warm, and my options open, because in this game the surprises never slow down.

. I was grossly underpaid but being single w/no kids and having that leven of comfort knowing your job inside out, I decided to stay and never seek opportunites elsewhere. Sadly my mother got sick w/dementia around 2019 and I was forced to step away from the my career (did get 1 yr od severance) to take care of her along with my father who is also up there in age. She eventually passed from covid, so it was just me left with my father (who was early 80s at the time).

I decided to give up my apt and move back to the family home (wasn't far anyway...long island, ny) to watch over my dad. I also decided that I wasn't going to stress about working again as a hack for some thankless corporation and decided to just drive Uber. I'll tell ya what, the last 5 years have been the most stress free and happiest of my adult working life! I'm eventually going to inherit the family home (valued at 1.2M), and along with making about $1200 a week (while only paying about 5% on taxes since we're considered "gig" workers...I've realized that happiness isn't about banking big check every week...it's about using what time you have left on this planet to enjoy yourself and do the things in life you love. I can easily cover my monthly nut, which isn't much.

Sure, I live frugaly and I'm able to pull this off because I don't have kids but nevertheless I don't think I'll ever work for a major corp. again stressing everyday and hating life. Doing uber allows me to go hang out on a whim with my 7yr old nephew, take him to soccer practice or maybe an afternoon movie on the weekends, etc, etc, etc.

I was a former D1 college soccer player and I even took up coaching my old high school team. Life is great. Most of us ki-l ourselves working to our early 60s only to then have maybe 5 good healthy years left.

Fk that.

Like most I am worried about being laid off.
What advice can you think of for those who may not be in the best headspace of the worst happens.

Trying to ask a somewhat positive and practical question. I have many issues with the logic of some choices I’m aware of but they may end up being a different thread sometime.

Being laid off blindsided me. As it seems, I was a little bit arrogant and far too comfortable. I guess this sm--k in the face is what I needed to reframe my perspective and to make sure I invested my time and energy in a way to still do a good job but not make work my entire personality. I plan to take that lesson with me to my next job.

I was cut back in 2015, I've seen posts on LinkedIn and it did triger a bit of PTSD. I am so sorry you have to go through this again but... life after Target has been a breath of fresh air for me. Ended up in a small company where I feel wanted, valued and heard. I did have good time at Target but I feel this change put me in a better position. With this being said, keep your head high and good luck!

I work as a support engineer in Business Intelligence and have already been affected by recent layoffs in my team. Currently, there is no growth in our team; it feels saturated.

I received a job offer from a midsize company for a position as a junior tech project manager. However, this position comes with a 20% pay cut and does not involve support work. I'm considering whether I should leave Oracle and take this opportunity, especially since I'm concerned about the possibility of more layoffs. Feedback?

and move to West Virginia to become a Coal Miner. All the Mines in West Virginia are hiring coal miners at all levels, entry-level, mid-level, and senior coal miners. There's plenty of over-time to be had if that is what you are looking for too.

I did this two years ago and never looked back after moving from Michigan to West Virginia. I work 50 hours Monday through Friday and spend the weekends outdoors either fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. I don't miss my old GM job at all.

not worth competing with AI let us abandonIT tech careers and look else where for livelihood

After more than ten years here, I honestly can’t wait for the door to hit me on the way out. It’s just a two-year engagement, nothing fancy, but I welcome the change. I completely lost perspective at XOM, got su-ked into the “Exxon way” until my career flatlined. I stopped growing years ago, stopped learning anything useful. If you’re as fed up as I was, do yourself a favor: make a change if you can. The feeling of walking away from this place is worth more than money.

I want to leave the industry but not sure what transferable skills I have. I’ve been unhappy here for a bit. So to those of you who have left and are happy, what work do you do now?

Here's a serious thought if you end up getting a layoff notice from Starbucks. You can tailor your Starbucks resume to make yourself attractive to become a Coal miner. Every Coal Mine in West Virginia is hiring right now. The Coal mines are looking for people for entry-level, mid-level and experienced coal miners. There is lots of overtime offered if you want that too.
A coal mining job is a real job that requires hard work for good pay. It will be a huge shock to most Starbuckers, because accepting your Starbucks job you expected you could just skate by.
If you move to West Virginia to become a coal miner. In six months, you would have plenty of money saved to go out and buy yourself a brand-new Ford 150 or Chevy Silverado truck. You can then put your truck to good use with weekend outings to go hiking, camping fishing, hunting or skiing too.

I strongly recommend all you Starbuckers bag Seattle and move to West Virginia to become a coal miner, even if you don't get laid-off at Starbucks. A big plus in moving to West Virginia is the people in West Virginia are much friendlier than people in Seattle. Plus, it does not rain all the time in West Virginia like it does in Seattle.

Got up this morning, went for a walk – logged on to see if there were any replies to my employment applications. None. Been doing this almost everyday mon-fri for coming up to two years since my RIF from F5.

Found two more software engineer/developer openings so crafted an application for the first and sent it. Started crafting the second application and stopped. Why am I doing this? With the state of software development as it is, when all you have to do is pay $1000 to $3000 for a 1 to 3 day course to get guaranteed certification of Expert or Black Belt level, it trivializes what software engineering is. I choose not to be a part of the game anymore. I’m giving up seeking new employment and will let it find me if the software gods so choose.

There was a time early on where software development required being a craftsman and artisan. I was working at a company that was in the first 100 that applied and received its domain registration in the 1980s. Those were good and exciting times. You were a part of something greater. Bugs/Errors/Failures as a result of your work were not an option. If something did come up, that became the first priority to solve (that day). The customer needed to trust you. That doesn’t exist anymore. F5 (as well as other corporations) willingly and routinely release software that has multiple serious issues. Big IP Next is a prime example. Development methods of Agile, Scrum, and SAFe were adopted that have no engineering validity to being used, but they are used anyway.

There are likely hundreds of reasons why I should continue seeking employment – all likely are valid. I choose to be the craftsman/artisan and that type of position will have to find me. If it doesn’t so be it.

We were doing really well at Ansys, and we came in here with very competent people. But I always expected it wouldn’t matter. I started preparing my exit as soon as the first acquisition rumors surfaced, and now I’m negotiating a move to another job. Hopefully it works out. If the timing lines up with being laid off here, even better. If not, I’ll resign and move on. Why fight to stay at a company that doesn’t recognize value or know how to manage experience, skills, and proven results?

For those that worked in Technology Operations and were laid off, can you share where you landed if you were able to find something, or the industry you moved to? Feeling like my days are numbered, so keeping my eyes peeled for opportunities.