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Final week, Microsoft laid off 6,000 staff—3 % of its workforce—bringing the variety of tech staff which have already been laid off in 2025 to almost 60,000, in accordance with layoffs.fyi. In a future version we’ll think about the function AI is enjoying on this, and the way software program engineers ought to safeguard towards ever-smarter LLMs. However for now, I need to share my high advice for those who’ve been laid off.
I simply spoke to a mid-level engineer who was laid off from a Large Tech firm in London. They have been understandably distraught and feeling demoralized.
The best recommendation I’ve is sort of easy: It’s essential to establish your benefits and exploit them.
When you do some reflection, you’ll be capable of establish a protracted checklist of individuals, assets, or alternatives that you’ve got distinctive entry to. The inquiries to ask your self:
- The place do you will have a robust community of people that may refer you? (That is probably your former colleagues or faculty alumni.)
- The place do you will have confirmed experience in a talent that could possibly be invaluable for employers? (For instance, being very efficient with search engine marketing or prompting.)
- What are the domains that you just’ve been enthusiastic about earlier than they turned cool? (Saying that you just’re enthusiastic about AI doesn’t rely since everybody appears to be enthusiastic about AI lately.)
The “spray-and-pray” method for job functions shouldn’t be solely miserable but additionally ineffective. Please don’t waste your time making use of to random jobs on LinkedIn or Certainly. As a substitute, comply with the template established by individuals with probably the most enviable careers: discover positions the place you will have an “in.”
Too many engineers establish a buzzy firm and use the usual approaches in attempting to land a job. In an age the place the market is flooded with job seekers, there may be an excessive amount of competitors for this to be efficient. As a substitute, work ahead from distinctive benefits and promising conditions.
—Rahul
Why Engineers Nonetheless Want the Humanities
Amid widespread funding cuts to many U.S. businesses, humanities analysis grants are being slashed. Historian and IEEE Spectrum contributor Allison Marsh explains how engineering is, and all the time has been entwined with the humanities. “The bygone engineers of the twentieth century acknowledged this sturdy bond to the humanities,” Marsh writes.
Balancing Work and Life: An Engineer’s Information to Achievement
How can busy engineers obtain a work-life steadiness? The important thing to managing your profession and private life may very well lie in reframing the query. “Cease viewing work and life as opposites and begin recognizing how they complement one another.” A number of easy methods may help engineers with this frequent problem.
ICYMI: This Man Made the Modem in Your Telephone a Actuality
In late February, Broadcom cofounder Henry Samueli obtained the 2025 IEEE Medal of Honor for his pioneering work in broadband communication and networking know-how. Examine his profession on this profile from Spectrum senior editor emeritus Tekla Perry.
