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Final week, Microsoft laid off 6,000 workers—3 p.c of its workforce—bringing the variety of tech workers which have already been laid off in 2025 to almost 60,000, in line with layoffs.fyi. In a future version we’ll take into account the function AI is taking part in on this, and the way software program engineers ought to safeguard towards ever-smarter LLMs. However for now, I need to share my high suggestion should you’ve been laid off.
I simply spoke to a mid-level engineer who was laid off from a Large Tech firm in London. They had been understandably distraught and feeling demoralized.
The best recommendation I’ve is kind of easy: It’s essential to establish your benefits and exploit them.
When you do some reflection, you’ll have the ability to 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’ve got a powerful community of people that might refer you? (That is doubtless your former colleagues or college alumni.)
- The place do you’ve got confirmed experience in a talent that might be invaluable for employers? (For instance, being very efficient with web optimization or prompting.)
- What are the domains that you just’ve been keen about earlier than they grew to become cool? (Saying that you just’re keen about AI doesn’t rely since everybody appears to be keen about AI nowadays.)
The “spray-and-pray” method for job functions isn’t solely miserable but additionally ineffective. Please don’t waste your time making use of to random jobs on LinkedIn or Certainly. As an alternative, observe the template established by individuals with probably the most enviable careers: discover positions the place you’ve got an “in.”
Too many engineers establish a buzzy firm and use the usual approaches in making an attempt 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 an alternative, work ahead from distinctive benefits and promising conditions.
—Rahul
Why Engineers Still Need the Humanities
Amid widespread funding cuts to many U.S. companies, humanities analysis grants are being slashed. Historian and IEEE Spectrum contributor Allison Marsh explains how engineering is, and at all times 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 Guide to Fulfillment
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.” Just a few easy methods might help engineers with this frequent problem.
ICYMI: This Man Made the Modem in Your Phone a Reality
In late February, Broadcom cofounder Henry Samueli acquired 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.
