Tech-industry layoffs rattle Rattlers

FAMU student Derrick McCrae. Photo courtesy: McRae

As fall graduation quickly approaches, many students at Florida A&M University are gearing up to walk the stage and begin their lives beyond college. Despite the excitement surrounding this milestone, hesitation is also in the air as uncertainty in the job market’s future rises.

Beginning as early as September of this year, employees across the tech industry have been laid off at an alarming rate. Meta, Twitter, DoorDash, Roku and Amazon are some of the companies that have participated in the recent layoffs.

This November, CrunchBase News reported that there had been more than 85,000 tech-based employees laid off in 2022.

This has left thousands of people scrambling to pick up the pieces after being let go, and many are turning to social media to bring awareness.

Stephan Brown is one of many using his platform to share day-to-day experiences as he navigates through being freshly laid off.

“I was on a three-week vacation, which was one of the best vacations I’ve taken this year, and on the last day  I found out that I was laid off during my layover (um) while I was in Istanbul, Turkey. It was five a.m. by the way,” Brown said in his viral TikTok video.

Formerly holding a position at Patreon, a tech company based  in California as a community and education manager, Brown spoke openly about  his journey with the company and how it affected his mental health.

“I just worked on myself to really make sure that I am being the best I could be,” Brown began, “so to work so hard for that many years and then boom at the snap of a finger you’re gone lowkey highkey did a lot to my mental health.”

Fearful of having an outcome similar to Brown’s, FAMU students like Derrick McRae are keeping an eye out on his companies of interest.

“There’s nothing we can really do which is nerve-wracking. This is an industry that people rave about because of the work environments and compensation. It’s sad that my generation is having to start our careers in this mess,” McRae said.

McRae, a third year public relations student at FAMU, shared his hesitation as his desired field of work is going through so many harsh changes.

“The only advice I can give my peers is to just do your research and continue to sharpen your skills. Make yourself desirable to these companies and make sure that you’re viewed as an asset —someone not expendable.”