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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 keeping with layoffs.fyi. In a future version we’ll think about 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 when 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 simplest recommendation I’ve is sort of easy: You must establish your benefits and exploit them.
When you do some reflection, you’ll be capable to establish an extended listing of individuals, assets, or alternatives that you’ve distinctive entry to. The inquiries to ask your self:
- The place do you could have a robust community of people that might refer you? (That is doubtless your former colleagues or faculty alumni.)
- The place do you could have confirmed experience in a ability that could possibly be worthwhile for employers? (For instance, being very efficient with website positioning or prompting.)
- What are the domains that you just’ve been obsessed with earlier than they turned cool? (Saying that you just’re obsessed with AI doesn’t rely since everybody appears to be obsessed with AI nowadays.)
The “spray-and-pray” strategy for job functions isn’t solely miserable but in addition ineffective. Please don’t waste your time making use of to random jobs on LinkedIn or Certainly. As a substitute, observe the template established by folks with probably the most enviable careers: discover positions the place you could 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’s an excessive amount of competitors for this to be efficient. As a substitute, 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 robust 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 can assist 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.
