Why software engineering is no longer a dream job

Summary

This video explores the dramatic shift in the tech industry, where software engineers once enjoyed abundant perks and job security but now face mass layoffs and increased pressure. The script highlights the boom-and-bust cycle in tech hiring, the impact of economic changes, and the growing dominance of AI in the workplace. It reflects on how once-lauded company cultures have deteriorated, revealing the harsh reality of profit-driven decisions. Despite challenges, the video encourages software engineers to acknowledge the importance of setting personal boundaries and remaining adaptable in this evolving landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 Software engineers once enjoyed extraordinary perks like free meals, lavish offsites, stock grants, and vacation stipends, but these are increasingly disappearing.
• 😀 Tech companies that once seemed like a dream job with high salaries and innovative missions are now experiencing significant layoffs despite record profits.
• 😀 The tech job bubble of 2021, fueled by massive hiring, has burst, leading to over 260,000 tech jobs being lost in 2023 alone.
• 😀 The herd mentality among tech companies, where decisions were often based on what others like Google were doing, led to irrational hiring practices, leaving companies overstaffed.
• 😀 Software engineers once felt untouchable, enjoying high job security, but this is no longer the case as tech companies face increasing competition and financial pressure.
• 😀 Post-pandemic, many tech companies realized they had overhired and started unwinding this by laying off employees in an attempt to improve profitability.
• 😀 Mass layoffs have become a trend in the tech industry, with companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google shedding jobs to appease Wall Street's demand for fast returns on investment.
• 😀 2025 has seen a shift in the work environment, with tech companies imposing return-to-office mandates and cutting back on employee benefits and perks.
• 😀 Companies like Meta and Google have focused on AI-driven work, pushing employees to use AI tools as part of their jobs and incorporating AI into performance reviews.
• 😀 There has been a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in many companies, revealing that these initiatives were often more about profit and reputation than genuine change.
• 😀 Despite the changes and challenges in the tech industry, software engineers still benefit from relatively high pay, job flexibility, and opportunities for career growth, though the landscape has shifted significantly.

Q & A

How did the perception of software engineers change over the past few years?

Software engineers, once seen as the 'rock stars' of the job market with lavish perks, have recently become more vulnerable to layoffs and competition from AI or cheaper overseas labor. Despite the perks, the perception of job security in tech has significantly shifted.

What factors contributed to the overhiring in tech companies in recent years?

The hiring spree in tech companies was driven by herd mentality, with companies like Google setting trends that others followed. Additionally, the post-pandemic demand for tech talent surged, leading companies to hire excessively without clear long-term strategies, eventually leading to overhiring.

How did the pandemic impact tech companies' hiring practices?

During the pandemic, tech companies rapidly increased hiring to meet growing demands. However, as restrictions lifted and companies returned to normal, many realized they had overhired, which led to massive layoffs in 2023 as they attempted to reduce excess staffing.

Why did some tech companies like Meta and Amazon experience major layoffs despite profitability?

Even though companies like Meta and Amazon were profitable, they overhired during the pandemic era. With the economic shift, higher interest rates, and investor demand for short-term returns, mass layoffs became a common solution to reduce costs.

How has the work culture in tech companies changed from 2021 to 2025?

The culture has drastically shifted. Lavish perks like offsite retreats, free meals, and flexible work arrangements have been replaced by the threat of layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and stricter deadlines. The work environment has become more focused on productivity and cost-cutting.

What role does AI play in the current tech industry shift?

AI is increasingly being integrated into workflows, with companies like Shopify mandating its use. Some companies are requiring employees to use AI tools as part of their jobs and even factoring it into performance reviews, which has sparked concerns about overreach and trust in employees' judgment.

How have tech companies' attitudes toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs changed?

Tech companies that once proudly promoted DEI initiatives have started quietly rolling back these programs. The shift seems to be influenced by political pressures and financial considerations, revealing that some companies may have used DEI efforts for public relations rather than genuine change.

Why are some software engineers nostalgic for the 'glory days' of 2021?

Engineers look back on 2021 with nostalgia because of the industry's rapid growth and lucrative opportunities, where salary increases were common, and the job market seemed secure. The shift towards layoffs and stricter work conditions in 2025 contrasts sharply with the optimism of that period.

Is the tech industry still a good career choice in 2025 despite the recent downturn?

Yes, even with the challenges of layoffs and stricter working conditions, tech remains a relatively lucrative and stable field compared to other industries. The ability to double salaries by acquiring in-demand skills, such as coding, continues to make tech a good career choice.

What is the main takeaway about the changing dynamics of the tech industry?

The main takeaway is that tech companies, once seen as unique for their perks and culture, are now facing the realities of a competitive, capitalist environment. While some perks have been stripped away, the tech industry still offers relatively high pay and career advancement opportunities, but job security and company loyalty should be viewed with caution.