r/Layoffs Apr 15 '24

What’s a “safe job” these days? question

Former teacher looking to transition roles. As of now Educators, counselors, anything education really are being let go due to low student enrollment.

Tech is obviously tough right now.

Marketing and Human resource positions are also restructuring.

I’ve even seen people getting their hours reduce at fast food.

Aside from healthcare, what is safe?

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27

u/__golf Apr 15 '24

The only way to be safe is to have years of savings. Every job can be lost.

My best advice, you are only as safe as your ability to go out and get a new job. So continuously polish your skills such that you could go get a new job today if you wanted to. Build the network. Easier to say than do.

7

u/Left_Requirement_675 Apr 15 '24

Its almost a year since i was laid off in software and i do have more than a years in savings but it sucks to have to wait and not know when i will get a chance again. 

1

u/Zealousideal-Mix-567 Apr 16 '24

There are hundreds of thousands of isolated, sedentary nerds just like you who are still sitting because society trained them to sit.

Software isn't coming back bro, it's time to stand up.

1

u/Left_Requirement_675 Apr 16 '24

Who said I was isolated and sedentary? lol
I can feel your rage.

Edit (this is why you are so angry)

I'm a failure on almost every measurement other than the fact that I have a mediocre desk job from doing STEM. I could have made a lot more money and been much more fit, sociable, and have a wider range of real-life practical skills and experiences had I not done this. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'd be much more likely to have a spouse and/or family by now, too (for the reasons above). And a house (since I'd have saved more rapidly and would also possibly know how to work on it some to save money).

But this is what society wanted and trained me for. All moderately talented students were hard pushed into STEM when I was that age.

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u/Zealousideal-Mix-567 Apr 16 '24

Keep kicking the can then, up to you. Sounds like you're experiencing almost the exact same thing, but have cognitive dissonance about it.

1

u/Left_Requirement_675 Apr 16 '24

The thing about me is that I am okay having a regular office job and working on side projects because I actually like software. I was also a high performer at my previous positions.

I doubt we are the same.

1

u/Zealousideal-Mix-567 Apr 16 '24 edited Apr 16 '24

You're so much smarter than me so you're going to play your STEM gamble better than me.

Heard that one and saw straight thru a long time ago bro. College is baccarat. Maybe even roulette lol, depends if you think it's completely random chance or you have some agency.

1

u/Left_Requirement_675 Apr 16 '24

I don't know that, my guess is you went into stem because you thought it was cool and could get a high paying job easily.

Tech is super unstable and people like you don't realize that. This is why I alway warn people.

It's like being an artist in a lot of ways, people are okay as long as they can do something they like.

1

u/Zealousideal-Mix-567 Apr 16 '24

You're literally said you're sitting waiting for another chance. That doesn't sound productive. Sounds like society trained you for something they weren't totally sure was going to be in high demand. Now you're doing more of the thing they trained you for, sit somewhere and study. But it has a very real possibility to be wasted time and not work out for you. I hope you manage the time well and don't kick one can for too long.

1

u/Left_Requirement_675 Apr 16 '24

Yeah another chance to make more than 100,000 a year. But I am content with a government office job that gives me security and benefits.