#careerswitch

For everyone that has left and are happy elsewhere, where do you go to?

Trying to figure out what to do and what to focus on. Thank you.

I’ve seen some go into consulting or startups, but others just disappear from the industry altogether. It's like people either reinvent themselves or burn out completely.

I'd love to hear from people who have left and learn more about any tips you have for navigating the post-Cengage career journey.

What do you miss? What do you not miss? What have you carried forward? What have you left behind? What did you learn from your transition? How would you approach it differently if you had to do it all over again?

Well after 13.5 years of loyal service including 2 moves halfway across the United States I was unlucky this time and got left standing. I remember when I got hired I was told during on boarding that I had essentially won the lottery and that I can work 30 years and retire a millionaire. Well I've been through 4 re-orgs across 3 business units. But hey I still have a chance to land a lesser paying role during the quick PDC. I've devoted almost 25 years of my life to the oil industry and now I'm left scratching my head wondering what I'm going to do. Do I switch industries and hope that I can find a comparable paying job or do I uproot my family once again chasing the dream to remain in the industry that has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams? I have years of knowledge but can't hang a college diploma up in my office. It's sad because I feel that the company that I dreamed of working for not value on the job knowledge the way they value a college diploma. I feel like this company is turning in to a popularity contest and upper management not wanting to be challenged with new ideas or ways of doing things they seem to want yes men/women.

All this talk about layoffs. Save your breath and apply at Lockheed Martin. Most start at $40 or more an hour. And when they see that you either work at Halliburton or was laid off, they will fast track your application. If enough people leave, JRC will close anyways.

Never until I started working here did I think I would ever pursue a career change in a completely different field. Extra change is going toward savings and extra time (because sc--w working late now) is going toward the classes. It will be my side hustle until the glorious day I resign. And if I get laid off like so many of us, well, I'll be ready. Get out ANY way you can!

I was laid off 3 times in 2 years working in tech. Rather than get laid off again, I'm going back to school.
www.businessinsider.com

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sarah Henschel, a 35-year-old former tech worker and current master's student based in New York."
Microsoft mass layoffs: Thousands of jobs cut, Xbox division hit hard

https://mashable.com/article/microsoft-mass-layoffs-what-we-know
2025-09-06