Nobody has it figured out

Will AI take our jobs? Will my skills still be relevant? Nobody knows.

The tech industry has been in a bear market for 3 years now. While the situation is improving, we will never return to how things were in 2020-2021.

After almost 5 years in the industry, what I have learned is that "stability" does not exist in the tech industry. I am not making this up. I have had numerous coffee chats with people across the industry, at different experience levels and job titles, and everybody said the same thing: "go with the flow," "keep learning."

We all have the “impostor syndrome,” and to some extent, it is okay to have it. At least that is what pushes me to learn new things and keep upskilling. But it is not easy. We get tired, burned out, and keep asking ourselves, “For how long do I need to do this?” The answer is simple: you need to continue the hustle as long as you want to work. Whether you are at the IC level or in a managerial position, the pressure is equal and only increases as you keep leveling up. This is not just with employees; the truth is even companies do not have it figured out. You must have seen the latest news on how DeepSeek shook the stock prices of the biggest tech companies in the world. The truth is NOBODY KNOWS. It is trial and error for everyone, and while companies are figuring things out for themselves, we as employees are affected the most.

While we cannot control the businesses much or understand what’s next (because these things are more than just technological advancements; there is politics and a whole lot of other things), we can take some calculated risks or steps that can help us sail through the stormy times.

Here are some of the best tips that I have received and that have helped me:

1. Always be ready to interview. Layoffs can happen anytime, companies may shut down, and if you are not ready, it might take you months to land a role. So do that extra learning, revise those good old computer science concepts, and know what the interview process looks like (because it often keeps changing).

2. Build that network. As cliché as it may sound, having a network that can vouch for you and your skills does help A LOT. The market is overcrowded, there are thousands of candidates with similar or better skills than you, and probably ready to work for a lesser salary than you. It is your network that can help you reach the interview round at least.

   Example:

3. Save and invest money. I am no financial advisor, but having 6 months of runway can help you relax a bit and prepare if you ever get hit by unforeseen circumstances.

4. Know what is trending in the industry. For example, your job role might have nothing to do with AI, but with the way the industry is moving, companies now want domain experts who are also generalists. Put in that extra effort to know what is trending and how you can make use of it in your role.

5. Know how to shut down the noise that you see on social media. This is something that is not easy, and as much as we do not want to admit it, consciously or unconsciously, we do get impacted when we see people doing multiple things and we feel we are not doing enough. This is a common feeling. But the truth is, what you see on social media might not be the entire truth. Focus on your own growth and goals.

6. Save yourself from brain rot (Oxford word of the year 2024). Many of you might disagree and say that our intellectual level does not decrease while in a tech job, but the truth is, it does. Many of us keep doing the same thing and stop learning new things. So challenge yourself with a new math lesson, or maybe practice some LeetCode questions. Do whatever it takes, but keep that brain running (this is what differentiates us from AI, until AGI is achieved xD).

7. Be flexible with your job role. Are you a software developer but getting a new job as a design engineer? Do your own calculations, and if it aligns, take it up. The tech industry, especially at this phase when it is going through a change, expects you to be more flexible. That is how you stay relevant. More experience and knowledge under your belt is always a plus.

Halfway through writing this, I worried people might think I have everything figured out. I don’t. I just noted some points I’m following, and together we’ll figure it out. A few years from now, I’m sure we’ll have some great stories to share. Let’s do this together! 💪