Tech is not the sexy job it used to be
Annual layoffs, the AI threat, the disappearing entry-level position: The Big Tech jobs that were once hailed as stable—and desirable—may no longer be a sure bet for workers.
Annual layoffs, the AI threat, the disappearing entry-level position: The Big Tech jobs that were once hailed as stable—and desirable—may no longer be a sure bet for workers.
The End of the "Golden Age": Why Big Tech Jobs Are Losing Their Shine
For decades, landing a job at a "Big Tech" firm was the ultimate career win. Between the sprawling campuses, the free gourmet food, and the promise of ironclad job security, companies like Google, Meta, and Apple were seen as more than just employers—they were safe harbors for the world’s most ambitious talent.
But according to recent industry shifts and expert analysis from Glassdoor and career consultants, that "Golden Age" is officially over. The "prestige bubble" has thinned, and workers from entry-level grads to 20-year veterans are realizing that a Silicon Valley badge is no longer a shield against uncertainty.
The "Unsinkable" Ships Are Taking on Water
Even Apple, a company famous for avoiding the mass layoffs that plagued its peers, recently surprised the market by cutting dozens of sales roles. While the numbers were small compared to the 700,000 tech workers laid off since 2022, the move sent a clear signal: no one is safe.
In the past, layoffs were a "last resort" during a crisis. Today, experts like Brett Coakley, principal executive coach at Close Cohen, suggest they have become an annual planning tool.
"These workers that thought they were insulated are realizing that prestige doesn’t really provide the protection that they’re used to," Coakley notes.
What’s Driving the Disenchantment?
Several factors are converging to rewrite the tech career playbook:
Overhiring & Pivot to AI: Many firms hired aggressively during the pandemic, only to course-correct as priorities shifted toward Artificial Intelligence.
The Perk Recessional: It’s not just about the missing free kombucha. It’s about the loss of autonomy as companies like Amazon enforce strict 5-day return-to-office mandates.
The "Fractional" Shift: Senior employees who once tied their entire identity to a single corporation are now looking toward startups or "fractional" roles that offer a better work-life balance.
The New Grad Dilemma
For Gen Z, the tech dream feels increasingly like a bait-and-switch. Glassdoor’s chief economist, Daniel Zhao, points out that while the allure of a high salary remains, the path to getting "a foot in the door" has never been more difficult. New grads are now asking: Is a four-year degree worth it if the outcome is this unstable?
Many are bypassing the Big Tech rat race altogether, opting for "gig roles" or specialized skill-based work that allows them to remain more agile in a volatile market.
Looking Ahead: The Looming "Great Exit"
While the hiring market is currently tight, leaving many workers feeling "stuck" in roles they no longer love, employers should be wary. The power dynamic in tech is cyclical.
When the market inevitably swings back and hiring picks up, Big Tech may face a reckoning. Workers who felt discarded or undervalued during the current wave of layoffs are unlikely to stay loyal once they have other options.
The takeaway for tech pros? Stability is no longer something a corporation provides; it’s something you build for yourself through continuous learning and a diversified professional identity.