When we were young, we were sold a dream: become an engineer, start a tech job in some multinational company, and our lives would be filled with countless opportunities. The dream was sold to every young person I knew around me, and hence, many of us fell victim to it.
However, the world as I see it has moved on. Tech jobs/STEM jobs are being replaced left and right. Recent trends suggest that the golden era of tech jobs may be drawing to an end. The confluence of factors, including the end of the Zero Interest Rate Policy (ZIRP) era and the rise of generative AI, is the main reason behind it.
The Golden Age of Tech Jobs is Over
Throughout the 2010s, Big Tech experienced remarkable growth. Companies hired at an unprecedented pace, offering starting salaries in the six figures, along with free gourmet lunches, on-site gyms, and flexible work arrangements.
The chance to “change the world” while earning top-tier pay made these jobs the ultimate dream.
But that dream has lost its shine. Since 2022, the industry has shed over 400,000 jobs, with giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon slashing thousands of roles. Even once‑untouchable positions in AI, cloud computing, and software engineering are now on shaky ground.
And then came AI.
Tools like ChatGPT and others have completely changed the game. While they’re super helpful, they’ve also made companies rethink how many people they really need. Why hire ten people when AI can do half the job?
It’s not about replacing humans entirely, but it is about doing more with less. That means fewer job openings and more competition for the roles that are available.
Ironically, the very industry that pushed innovation is now being disrupted by it.
We Need to Adapt Before it’s Too Late
What we’re seeing now isn’t the “death” of tech jobs; it’s more like the industry is evolving. Companies are being smarter with their money. Startups are expected to actually make money, and employers are now looking for people who bring more than just coding skills to the table.
The jobs are still there. But landing them might take more than it used to. You’ll need to be adaptable, curious, and open to learning new things.
Upskilling in areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud tech, or even just understanding how tech connects with real-world problems can really give you an edge.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates.
