Until recently, layoffs seemed a distant threat to highly skilled, in-demand tech workers. Then mass dismissals at Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft shook the industry. Today, once unlikely employers—hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies, even the Internal Revenue Service—are hiring top-tier techies.
Nearly every industry needs software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists. But for years, big companies snagged the top talent. They offered sky-high pay and lavish perks. Expert tech help has been mostly out of reach for smaller companies. But massive tech layoffs in 2022 and 2023 changed that.
Now the little guys—along with the federal government—are in the game.
No employer is pushing harder to employ tech workers than Uncle Sam. The U.S. government aims to hire 22,000 of them in 2023. The goal: ease its labor shortages while strengthening cybersecurity and modernizing jobs like collecting taxes. Plus, experts point out that the government needs fresh talent. Less than seven percent of the federal workforce is under 30.
Chris Kuang co-founded a fellowship for young tech workers. He encourages them to consider benefits in addition to pay when job hunting—things like pension and health plans, job stability, flexibility, and variety.
Computer science major Ly Na Nguyen interned for Amazon. Now she’s considering offers outside Big Tech. She says, “I’d definitely look at a government job.”
She’s not alone. Government tech job postings soared 48% at the beginning of 2023. At the same time, tech industry jobs saw a 33% decrease.
Meta dismissed Hector Garcia last November. Global health company Abbott snapped him up. “I decided to go for something that I hadn’t done before,” says the data specialist. Abbott expects to hire hundreds of software engineers, data architects, and cybersecurity analysts over the next few years.
Overstock CEO Jonathan Johnson now fills open tech spots more quickly—and with better quality candidates. “Less demand and more supply,” he explains.
Some businesses say layoffs simply helped “right-size” companies and reduce costs during the recent global economic downturn. Others blame artificial intelligence for dismissals. They say processors have replaced people for certain jobs.
Despite the downturn, competition for tech talent remains fierce. Many tech companies are still hiring—just more slowly. So while being in the tech sector has been a bit rocky lately, it’s still a solid career choice with an unemployment rate of just 2%!
God made people for work and work for people. (Genesis 2:15, Deuteronomy 15:10) For some, work involves technology. For others, not so much. Christians can rejoice in the work God gives—whatever that may be!
Why? Thinking about work and what makes a job a good fit—interests, God-given abilities, stability, etc.—helps inform wise choices.
