Amazon Layoffs! Screw Software Engineering

Summary

In this raw, candid monologue Timothy Lee Grant vents frustration after Amazon’s massive layoffs, describing how the flood of experienced engineers into the job market crushed his hope of breaking into software engineering despite a year of LeetCode and projects. He recounts losing motivation, feeling ignored by hiring managers, and questioning whether engineering degrees were worth the sacrifice. Timothy argues AI and automation are shrinking opportunities, contemplates pivoting to firmware or staying in embedded systems, and ultimately declares he’s giving up on the conventional path. His future videos will be darker and more unfiltered, reflecting disillusionment and an uncertain next step.

Takeaways

• 😠 The speaker is reacting strongly to Amazon's large job cuts (numbers vary between 14,000 and 30,000) and sees it as a major negative shift for the job market.
• 😞 They’ve been trying for over a year to transition into software engineering (LeetCode practice, projects) but received no interviews or responses.
• 🤷‍♂️ The speaker fears newly laid-off experienced engineers will flood the market and make it harder for junior or inexperienced applicants to get jobs.
• 💼 As a hypothetical hiring manager, they believe hiring an experienced Amazon engineer is the obvious choice over a candidate with no experience.
• 😔 The lack of job openings (even at big Seattle companies) has crushed their motivation to continue producing daily videos and working on projects.
• 😤 They express frustration with the idea that the job market is merely 'cyclical,' arguing instead that AI and automation are steadily reducing available roles.
• 🧠 The speaker believes AI already amplifies productivity (one person doing the work of five), accelerating displacement of certain engineering roles.
• 📉 They’re considering giving up on becoming a software engineer and feel lost about what career path to pursue next.
• 🔁 They question the value of their engineering degree and advise against pursuing engineering—suggesting 'party' or business degrees instead.
• 🔧 They briefly consider doubling down on firmware/embedded engineering as a possible alternative, but remain uncertain about its longevity.
• 🎥 Their content will likely become darker and more uncensored going forward because they no longer feel the need to appear positive for job hunting.
• ❓ Overall tone: overwhelmed, defeated, and angry—uncertain about the future, losing motivation, and debating whether to keep trying or change direction.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main frustration regarding the job market?

The speaker is frustrated by the lack of job opportunities in software engineering, despite their efforts in self-study and project work. They also feel that the job market is overcrowded, especially with the addition of thousands of laid-off employees, making it harder for newcomers to break into the industry.

How does the speaker view the impact of AI on the job market?

The speaker believes that AI is already replacing many jobs in software engineering and automation is making it possible for one person to do the work of five. They argue that AI is rapidly improving, further diminishing job prospects in the field.

What specific career advice does the speaker give about pursuing an engineering degree?

The speaker strongly advises against pursuing an engineering degree, particularly in fields like electrical engineering or software engineering, as they feel that the promise of job security and a good life through these degrees is false. They suggest pursuing a less demanding degree, such as business or finance, for a more enjoyable and financially stable career.

What has caused the speaker to lose motivation in their pursuit of a software engineering career?

The speaker has lost motivation due to a lack of job opportunities, the growing influence of AI, and the constant struggle to get even a single interview. The announcement of massive layoffs at major tech companies like Amazon and the increasing automation in the industry have contributed to their sense of hopelessness.

How does the speaker feel about their previous efforts to learn software engineering?

The speaker feels that their efforts in learning software engineering through projects, LeetCode practice, and creating YouTube videos have been futile. Despite their hard work, they have seen no tangible results, such as interviews or job offers, leading to feelings of burnout and frustration.

What does the speaker say about the 'cyclical' nature of the job market?

The speaker rejects the idea that the job market is cyclical, arguing that even if it were, they don't have the luxury of waiting five years for things to improve. They also point out that AI advancements are rapidly changing the landscape, and job opportunities are continuously shrinking, not recovering.

How does the speaker perceive the tech industry as a whole?

The speaker feels disillusioned with the tech industry. They believe that the promises of a stable and rewarding career through hard work in software engineering are largely untrue, and that the industry's current trajectory, including AI, automation, and frequent layoffs, is leaving little room for new entrants.

What is the speaker’s opinion about AI replacing software engineering jobs?

The speaker is adamant that AI has already begun to replace software engineering jobs and that the transition is well underway. They argue that AI's impact is not just about robots replacing people but about automation allowing one person to do the work of multiple people, reducing the demand for human labor.

Why does the speaker feel that their YouTube channel is changing?

The speaker feels that their YouTube channel will shift towards darker, less filtered content. This change is a result of their loss of motivation and growing frustration. They no longer care about creating 'presentable' videos aimed at securing a job, as they have become disillusioned with the idea of a career in software engineering.

What does the speaker plan to do moving forward with their career?

The speaker is uncertain about their next steps. While they briefly consider continuing with firmware engineering, they are not confident that this path will lead to a stable job either. They express doubt about the future of the tech industry and are questioning whether it is worth continuing to pursue a career in software or firmware engineering.