Reasons Why People Are Leaving the Tech Industry

[@oscarescam]

I have never felt so identified, all you said it’s true, I have been working for 5 years as software engineer but the lack of job security, new frameworks everyday, toxic environments, layoffs, etc.. is making me thinking about if I still want to continue working in this industry

[@izamalcadosa2951]

Same feelings!! I want to get out but I haven't done anything non-tech in 8-years!

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @oscarescam, I hear you-those are some real challenges that many in the industry are facing right now. It’s tough when job security is uncertain, and the constant change can feel overwhelming. After all that time spent learning new frameworks and dealing with toxic environments, it makes sense that you'd be questioning your place in the industry. Have you thought about what direction you might want to go in if you decide to make a change? Thanks for sharing your experience, and I’m wishing you clarity as you figure it all out!

[@maryamzibaeifard]

You are absolutely right. I’ve been in IT industry for 25 years and I never felt it as disrespectful and meaningless as it is now. I am planning my exit in a couple of years. Choosing a simple and meaningful life over working in a grifter and hype industry.

[@kristopherleslie8343]

It’s been like that since caveman days

[@mostofamojlish8255]

Because you already made your fortune so you can afford to live that way . Some of us just started so we have no choice 😢

[@kristopherleslie8343]

@@mostofamojlish8255 I’ve barely made enough to comfortable when I retire

[@maryamzibaeifard]

@ I suspect if tech environment was this harsh and meaningless with endless meetings and BS tasks when I started my career, I would stay. I think I would have changed my career path right away.

[@SecOpsFarhan]

Grifter and hype - couldn’t agree more

[@SEDAZ01]

Left tech in 2001 and went to the utility industry. I have never looked back .

[@bulfinchandbull7157]

Left tech 2 years ago in order to become a nurse and it feels amazing - so much more time off for the same salary!

[@thg2123]

Good choice

[@Nightstorm-2516]

Everyone's leaving and i'm just trying to get in.....

[@cannotwest]

Why? It's sh1t.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @Nightstorm-2516, It can definitely feel that way sometimes! Breaking into tech has its challenges, especially with how the industry is evolving, but there are still opportunities to grow and succeed. We all have our path-focus on building strong skills and staying adaptable. You’ve got this! What area of tech are you most interested in? Thanks for sharing, and good luck on your journey!

[@mostofamojlish8255]

😂

[@Nightstorm-2516]

@ Currently interested in Web Development. I know Javascript, PHP and done some backend database work. I even have projects up on my resume but still get declines. No idea why its so hard to get into this field.

[@evanbose6517]

@@Nightstorm-2516 how is the tech industry in Finland

[@dranon0o]

Govts and corporations will soon understand that job security is national security. To be totally honest, there is a big amount of people that fed up by everything that happened during last 10+ years. Also there are obviously way too much mid-management, the ratio with devs is just way too high! Increasing mid-management means increasing the pressure on a smaller amount of devs, we should decrease mid-management positions and increase developers position to have a reasonable pressure. Looking at how corpos are treating developers these days, like fucking slaves, seen that in other industries as well. Every technicians, every executants, are all treated like shit with a high pressure. I wouldn't be surprised to see civil unrest or more Luigis in the streets in a near future.

[@slamislife74]

I want to remain in tech, but the toxicity and hypocrisy that managers are allowed and seemingly encouraged to have, as well as the stunning lack of job security, are making it very difficult The industry is trying its hardest to make everything a temporary contract where they lie about the possibility of hiring you full-time later on, instead of a full-time role with benefits from the start. The constant job switching makes it hard to actually learn anything and contribute meaningfully, because you might already be forced out the door the moment you've become familiar with the tooling, processes, and complex environment, or even before that I might become a DBA or something, but full-stack development is in a rough spot right now

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @slamislife74, Spot on-tech can feel like a wild ride these days. The constant temp contracts and unstable environments make it tough to settle in and really grow. Becoming a DBA sounds like a solid plan, especially if full-stack isn’t cutting it for you right now. When I was contracting myself in the early days for 10+ years in the year 2K, I actually enjoyed the temporary nature-learning and moving on to the next thing was exciting. But now, it’s ridiculously hard to do because of how expensive it is to maintain a decent health care plan without it costing an arm and a leg. What’s been your biggest frustration with temporary contracts? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@slamislife74]

@@TonyTheAntonio Some of the issues I have with contract work in recent times is that they should pay more per hour than FTE work, due to the temporary nature of the work, but they now pay markedly less than FTE Staffing companies also routinely miscommunicate what the role even is. I've gotten hired as a Java developer once, and it turned out onbe a data analyst role. Another time, I got hired to be a Java dev, and it turned out to be almost exclusively a front-end web development role

[@Cai1900-f8e]

​@TonyTheAntonio i moved to this country around 14 years back . I did my masters and worked here. Tech became too fked up they moved all projects offshore no matter what .They will always try to fire you if you ask for more incentive. I no longer want to work it's too toxic and stressful no longer enjoying it

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @Cai1900-f8e, Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s disheartening when the industry prioritizes cost-cutting over valuing skilled professionals, and the stress and toxicity can really take a toll. I’ve noticed similar patterns-on top of offshoring, companies often assign all the interesting projects to their offshore teams, which only adds to the frustration. Honestly, the feelings of "I’ve had it with tech" resurfaced for me as I was making this video. It left me asking again, "What’s next for me?" Have you thought about exploring a completely different field, or would you still want to use your tech skills in a new way? Thank you for being part of the conversation! Let me know if you'd like further adjustments!

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @slamislife74, You bring up some really valid concerns. I can totally relate to the role miscommunication-my very first software dev job was as a Java developer, but it turned out to be Windows app development. I ended up leaving within a month. On the pay front, I’ve had similar experiences. Once, a recruiter tried to offer me $80K/year instead of a $80/hr W-2 contract. When I pointed out that I’d made that rate on my last two contracts, he called me "crazy" and said I’d never get it. It was frustrating, but that was during a strong economy around 2010. Now, with the current economic conditions, it feels like they’re using it as leverage to lower rates even more. Hang in there-things can improve. Cheers.

[@kingdomVI]

Most of us are just unemployed and can't find a job. Indirectly leaving because we can't stay jobless forever. Honestly, the economy is bad-unless you're a senior, you're cooked. I have 2 years of experience and a degree, done 4 interviews, sent around 700 resumes, and after 5 months, still no job.

[@draugno7]

Almost the same...

[@scootergirl3662]

I even know some seniors who can’t get a job.

[@draugno7]

@scootergirl3662 there is one senior at a company where my uncle is employed who hasn't had work in 6 months despite the company being pretty good. They have kept him on salary but will have to lay him off...

[@keithmutamba1395]

Correction unless you’re a unicorn you’re screwed

[@Nonshillnot]

H1B and immigrant visas are to blame.

[@Solstice42]

You nailed it … the absurd bastardization of agile methodology is totally out of control. We no longer have a team, we have a machine - 3 years into a corp. Agile and I see the community and sharing I used to get from software development has been squeezed out of us.

[@MkVic-w2i]

Bro, you are absolutely right. I have been working in IT around the clock for the last 20 years around the world. I'm sad to say that this is one of the worst industries. I will soon leave this industry forever.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @MkVic-w2i, I hear you, and I completely understand where you're coming from. Two decades in IT, especially with the intense demands and global scope, is no small feat. It’s tough when an industry you’ve dedicated so much to starts feeling like one of the worst. Leaving is definitely a big decision. Have you thought about what you’d like to pursue next? Wishing you the best on your next chapter, and thanks for sharing your experience!

[@no_guarantees]

Healthcare is worse, when you make a code error it's back to the drawing board more or less. In healthcare, when a patient receives incorrect procedure, test, or med the patient can die.

[@Tombi432]

My experience right now: Develop a solution which worked then toxic baby boomer team leader comes and is not happy how the code looks like. Got angry and demands complete refactoring and rewriting in a way it pleases him. Now the change result in being bugged and you get the blame now. Creativity is heavily punished and micromanagement is extreme. Everything is rigid, software architecture has to look exactly how the tesm lead wants it to look like. Do not ever speak or critisize the tech lead and if you do you risk getting fired. The way to survive this: Be silent > get financial free > quit. Dont take anything seriosly. You get paid the same regardless if you perform or doing the bare minimum. And never ever put children into this world as it delays financial freedom.

[@pauljerome162]

I've been in the game for only 5 years but this is exactly how I feel. Unfortunately I feel like I'll be stuck in big tech for another 5 years to ensure a secure future for my family. Great video!!

[@SteveCarruthers-u8i]

Tony, this is the first time I've seen you on video. Your passion and your sincerity are unmistakable. It is very compelling to watch. I look forward to seeing more content from you in the near future. Hang in there.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @SteveCarruthers-u8i, Thanks so much for the kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and share your thoughts. It means a lot to hear that my passion and sincerity came through. A lot of those feelings from when I was burned out definitely came up in the video. I’m actually working on the other side of this too-"Why I loved and stayed in a tech job as a software dev"-where I dive into the positive side of my years in the field. Thanks again for the support! I’m excited to share more with you soon!

[@nimble_and_kind]

I job hopped my way in the past 5 years from being freshly divorced and making a server wage to now making a 6 salary income in tech. Now that I'm here, I'm trying to make my exit because it does nothing for my soul. I'm grateful I was able to get to this cherished 6-figure goal, but now that I was able to do that, I know for a fact I can create my own income on MY terms!! Working with AI tools to help me get there.

[@ErroneousTheory]

This is why we need unions. Corporate depersonalization will take everything from you and then they discard you

[@johnshortridge]

40 years in I.T. and development and retired this last push out the door by management. I love coding just like he does. But, I was never able to do the kind of coding work. Always these new agile scrum things and always dealing with management that just was concerned about making a buck. So, most of my code ended up being something I could not put my name on. Now, AI comes along and totally wipes the platform I so loved. After 1 year out of I.T. I'm glad I retired. Still, I wanted to learn more code and framework but as this AI progresses.. I wonder what the point.. So, trying to learn AI but it's so boring... Like I want to think for myself not have this digital dickhead GPT writing it for me. At least allow us humans to provide some value. So, I decided to learn C++/Java and do gaming knowing full well it will be useless and pointless for entertainment. If I had to make an income which I no longer have to. I would certainly start a campground business, be a plumber, run away from these electronic demons and live a better life for it.

[@SamSam-mv6gf]

Thanks for your comments. Perhaps you could help me trying to create something useful and I know little about coding

[@usay7389]

They will replace you with people from the developing world.

[@adnandzindosoda]

I am from development country. I worked 12 years in outsorcing industry, before 2 years I got remote job in usa. For me this is like vacation if i compare with outsorcing. Dude they killing us, we are forced to work 10-12 hours, toxic culture ....

[@exposedthat]

become the next Luigi then

[@VandamPlastics]

Wow what an amazing analysis! Your story feels very similar to what I am going through right now although it's from a different background. I have an electrical engineering background but left this field after severe feelings of butnout. I made a radical change and started to work as a volunteer in a homeless shelter. It was the most amazing experience of my life, I never felt so free, so doing meaningfull work, so happy in general. After a few years though I felt I needed to get back to a normal job. I always loved coding and a few years ago it seemed there was a high demand for developers. So I started a one year training as a Java developer. I abdolutely loved it and finished the course in october. I'm trying to enter the industry but I kind of start loosing hope. Now with your video I am seriously questioning it. Thanks for your video and good luck to all!

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @VandamPlastics, Wow, your journey is incredible! I can actually relate to your experience. I received my EE degree in ‘97 with an emphasis on integrated circuit design (Microprocessors and ASICs). After four years in the industry, I decided to shift into Java Enterprise Development. Even though I had industry experience, it wasn’t enough to convince people. The main struggle recruiters pointed out was that I didn’t have experience with writing business applications. But one day, I made a good impression on someone, and they decided to give me a chance. That moment essentially launched my 25+ years career in Java Enterprise Programming. I truly believe you can do the same-your passion and experience will lead to great things! As for the video, it’s really just an expression of my own experiences and frustrations with the industry. It’s not meant to dictate anyone's journey. Everyone’s journey is different, and while I’ve faced my own challenges, it doesn’t mean that’s the path for everyone. You have your own unique path, and your passion for coding will definitely open doors for you. Keep pushing forward, and best of luck on your journey! Thank you for sharing your story! I appreciate you.

[@UroojKheiri]

Everything you mention here is true... each word of it.. in my opinion... I am a Software Engineer, but I wish I can leave now and do something else.

[@CodingMountainMan]

I've been through all the above in the software industry workplace and have to say, I would never wish to leave. I think back to my previous jobs in retail, restaurant, and sales. I think sometimes we don't realize how good we have it compared to other professions. I also realize people change and pursue new interests.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @UroojKheiri and @CodingMountainMan, You both highlight different but important perspectives on working in tech. @UroojKheiri, feeling stuck or wanting to leave a profession you’ve invested in can be tough, especially when the industry doesn’t feel fulfilling anymore. @CodingMountainMan, it’s true that tech has its advantages compared to other fields, and it’s great that you’ve found value in it. It’s all about perspective and where you’re at in life-sometimes staying makes sense, and other times, exploring new interests is the way to go. What do you both think is the best way to weigh the pros and cons when making a big career decision? Thank you both for sharing your thoughts!

[@CodingMountainMan]

@@TonyTheAntonio family, health, wallet

[@vitalyl1327]

the industry is full of peple who should have never been here. The sooner it is corrected, the better.

[@Handyman_Plunger]

Programming was never easy since I started it 20years ago. One wrong word, One unfulfilled promise, even scarier one action that was not taken when expected, and it is going to take a toll on your credit, project, and eventually position. It is a game of invisible man chasing you without any notice at all time, is what making people loose their mind, you have no clue how to secure against it so welcome to the world of Software engineering. There is a misconception that dev is easy or was easier in the past, I would say it is just getting more popular these days and therefore more people can share their experience. If you want to survive, you get to learn how to deal with constant edge of burn out upper hand and fear of being overrun by your peers on the other side and there is no exception to any of us.

[@mayikx]

Yes, this guy has some problems and that is the reason of his feelings. This industry is only that bussines, today is more popular. When you are old in this bussines, you know that everything is being in the same in the last 35 years.

[@philipschiwek6073]

At the moment i work in a very small company in a very small niche. I am responsible for my apps, I can work completely freely and solve my problems as i like (more or less). Compared to a developer in big tech my salary maybe nothing, but i am happy with my work most of the time. No Scrum, no agile, nearly no meetings. I hope it stays like this as long as possible.

[@trekimpossible2850]

I once read a comment somewhere like this, once you join a company, you will find no one the in the team meets the interview standard. The toxic vibe starts from interview already, most interviewers want you to fail with unrealistic expectations. People seems to forget that they could sit on the other side at anytime. So when we complain about the toxic culture, do we also become the toxic people when we are on the different positions? I wonder who is really driving the industry this way.

[@pinoyrunningpenguin]

The problem stems from the nature of tech itself. It destroyed itself from the lack of standards, lack of regulation, anyone can make their own way of doing things, this becomes very costly. There are thousands of ways to just solve a simple problem. It is a big mess now.

[@Kevinschart]

I've been coding on the side as a hobby since 2012. My primary career is in finance, and over the years I have flirted with changing my career path. I see so many videos like these that it makes me feel that I made the correct choice to leave it as a hobby. Having said that, maybe the point is to put more effort into finding a way to enjoy your current situation.

[@Goodman-b5z]

So what will u do now

[@Monsieurbico]

I needed this video right now. All you said it's true. Looking for a new job is really hard in this market. Moving away from a toxic workplace oriented to short-term money gains, cutting corners with inhuman practices on customers that doesn't tolerate shortcuts anymore. Being squeezed between disconnected managers and tech reality to build something good that's engaging. The spark of coding becomes an slave game. I left the front-end development to specialize in another field, happy with my choice, just have to find a non-toxic company.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @Monsieurbico, I’m really glad the video resonated with you. It’s so tough when you're stuck between a toxic work environment and the pressure to deliver in an unrealistic situation. It's easy to lose the passion for coding when it feels like the joy is drained by short-term goals and poor practices. I think it’s great that you made the decision to specialize in another field. Finding a company that values people and good work can definitely make all the difference. Hoping to find a non-toxic culture myself in the future as well! What field are you focusing on now, and what kind of company culture are you hoping to find? Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@FlavioMOliveira35]

'm a sw engineer for 25 years and I lived every aspect you mentioned on my skin. Sad to say, retirement is a distant dream. But it' was not always like that. it used be more fun and must part nice persons around or simply a better environment, I don't know

[@SnowDrift-bh7wb]

Hi, I don't feel that burnout anymore (I never had a real burnout in medical sense) as I left corporate business already 13 years ago. I made good money back then, but the job led to nowhere - exactly as you explain here in the video. There was just no meaningful purpose in what I was doing - or I couldn't discover it. In the meantime I returned back to coding which I like to do much more and it's a lot more fulfilling than the managerial (executive) position I had at the top of my corporate career.

[@edwardfjohnson]

Left tech after my second layoff and work for Habitat for Humanity now. It definitely has its rough days but at least I’m helping and the people we help appreciate what we do.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @edwardfjohnson, That’s such a meaningful shift! It’s awesome that you’re now doing work that makes a real difference and is genuinely appreciated by the people you help. I’m sure there are challenges, but knowing your efforts directly impact others must make it all worthwhile. What inspired you to make the jump to Habitat for Humanity? I’m curious myself since I’m still exploring other avenues for a career change. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@izamalcadosa2951]

Just found your channel, Tony! Great video! I'm going to look for more of your videos here on KZbin!!

[@w3earth94]

That's true. The reason is now tech industry is not like innovation or research. Anyone, who may or may not in tech industry, call GPT and get answer. So they need a slave who can copy and paste that. It is the exact situation in client view. So now people are working only for check. Those who already have 20-15 yrs, they might understand, in recent market there is no money also. Then these 2 questions comes in every one's mind, why should we work? What is the next alternate?

[@pawel82x]

I knew it will happen so I prepared for that. My friends didn't understand why I am looking for other sources of income when I have a good job with good salary. Next month is my last of work in corpo.

[@Meritumas]

Spot on, after 20 years in IT I can tell the first part was great, the second was not so. It’s all because cultural changes. I love solving problems but engineering is not “packaging chicken wings on a production line”. Sadly in many companies it looks like. I am coming back to electrical engineering.

[@Solstice42]

Definitely leaving corp. Life after 30 years in Technology industry, waiting a year or two more (at most) to “retire” … and planning to get back to individual development projects with all the really great Maker Tech available today, want to build some embedded tech solutions for people with special needs …

[@roromemeqatar123]

With AI , what happened is it is not worth for tim U spend on IT, the moment you are out or fired or have health issues you will be nowhere not like any other professionals. So better to be in long term value skills which not change .

[@Goodman-b5z]

Like what skills? Except doctor

[@АлексейЩербак-б3ь]

Thinking to shift from backend (c#, 5 years+ exp) to game dev (Game design, level design). Maybe do my own games and start some business. I so hate interviews. Would be awesome to start something own. One big problem - I'm from Russia and gaming is almost gone from here because of you know i think. It makes this dream even more difficult to be implemented.

[@Corrigan65_]

I was good as any, better than most but I never got my shot. That was 20 years ago. Now I'm trying to break back in, relearning javascript, learning python. This AI revolution hasn't even hit yet and it's turning people inside out and upside down. WTF can I do to engineer this?

[@ralphdrott2972]

I really want to quit my office/lab job and go back to school for it/tech but I'm not interested in pure software engineering. I want to focus on embedded systems, robotics and automation in prdouction. Do you think this sector has more job security? My reason for this sector is that I cannot stand pure software engineering looking on a screen all day. I want to work more with mechanical components and machines. What do you think? I want a mix between Software and Hardware Development.

[@Joe-n4q]

You might want to do electrical. CE and CS mostly work on computers. Very rarely are you working with your hands.

[@trxe420]

I have been doing this since 2000, so what, 25 years now? At the time, Y2k just happened, the Internet was the shiny new thing, it was a great time to be a software developer. It seemed like I was constantly learning something new, I was never laid off, never unemployed for more than a few days unless I just wanted a vacation. Lately though, everything seems to have changed. Seems like most of the ideas have dried up, technology is kind of stalling just before the big AI wave pushes. It's a natural cycle in IT, but what is different now is we are no longer in this position where our talents are rare and desirable. The market is saturated now and people can fake it with AI and get by. Because of automation, ironically that we created, management is constantly looking to replace us. Low code/no code, pipeline after pipeline, It's just kind of getting stagnant. I honestly just want to retire, but I am still 20 years out. I will never stop coding, but I would rather do it for fun where I can build my own projects.

[@LightisMyStrength]

Highly underrated video and very relatable. 🔥 thanks

[@TonyTheAntonio]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching!

[@rogfromthegarage8158]

1:25 The intro describes my feelings exactly. I started in 1990 and it was amazing. I've always been a problem solver who "solved puzzles". But it slowly devolved to the point that I just had to stop. I was fortunate enough to be able to retire at a relatively early age (62). I just got tired of working with idiots.

[@CodingMountainMan]

Have you thought about making a vid on "Reasons Why People Are Staying in the Tech Industry"?

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Yes! It's on my list. I'm still researching it. Thanks for watching!

[@TonyTheAntonio]

@@CodingMountainMan Interesting a watched a couple of your videos a couple weeks back. One in particular "It's not your fault your behind on life...". I'm a subscriber now. Cheers.

[@CodingMountainMan]

@ Thank you Tony, always great talking with a fellow SWE 🙂

[@xqtggru]

​@@CodingMountainManI know you and I'm subscribed to your channel ❤

[@JeffLewis1975]

This video speaks to me. Been a developer for almost 30 years now and always enjoyed coding but now I am debating switching away from it entirely. Same company for 18 years now working on old legacy code and no chance to work on anything new in my work hours hasn't helped me stay updated at all. Massive burnout, no job prospects, low wages where I am, just strongly debating getting out but it's hard to replace even my lower salary.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @JeffLewis1975, Your story hits like a perfect pull request review. Almost 30 years as a developer is seriously impressive, but I totally get how working on legacy code with no chance to explore new tech can lead to burnout. It’s tough to keep going when everything starts to feel stagnant. Back in my early days, I stuck with contract gigs, and they always felt fresh. But once I joined a medium-sized company as an FTE, I started feeling that same kind of stagnation you’re talking about-I was there for 8 years. I’ve always loved bleeding-edge tech, but corporations tend to move so slow on that stuff, it just sucked the energy out of me. How do you stay motivated while dealing with all this? Wishing you clarity and strength as you figure out your next steps, and thanks for sharing your story!

[@JeffLewis1975]

@@TonyTheAntonio It's EXTREMELY hard to stay motivated in the current job. There is so much technical debt and things that just plain old need updating that we never are allowed to spend time on so it gets frustrating. I am set up with a career counselor starting late February so I'll see how that goes.

[@vitalyl1327]

You're good - there is nothing really new out there.

[@gnuemacs1166]

Ten million Indians took jobs when there were only twelve million jobs

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @gnuemacs1166, You bring up a really good point-there’s definitely an imbalance in the job market, especially with everything going on in the economy. When job opportunities are limited, it feels like there’s way more competition than there should be, and that affects both U.S. citizens and non-citizens. It’s a tough spot for everyone. Do you think the government should prioritize U.S. citizens over H1B workers or foreign outsourcing in tough economic times, or is there a better way to balance things out? Appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

[@gnuemacs1166]

@@TonyTheAntonio these h1b visas are temp visas send them back they do the same in Europe come in on tourist visas never leave these are not dual intent visas it’s fraud if it’s dual intent

[@HopeToProsper]

I was fortunate to retire out of Tech at age 58. If I had of been younger or saved less, I would have been trapped, because the jobs are disappearing.

[@Minolrx]

No more no less that's exactly the feeling. One point is that when your feelings are engaged you produce better code, debug better and come with "nice to try" ideas and all that is gone.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @Minolrx, You’ve nailed this one-when you’re emotionally invested in your work, everything feels sharper: the coding, debugging, and those creative “what if we try this?” moments. It’s tough when that spark fades, and the work becomes more mechanical than inspired. What do you think could bring that sense of engagement back for developers? Thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@blackcubes]

Was a software engineer for 4 years, but decided to leave in September once I saw some of the early signs of companies in Silicon Valley using AI, more and more contract outsourcing, no job security, and hearing from others in Silicon Valley (like in Dublin or Pleasanton) that they lost their cushy job after many years of experience or loyalty to the company. Now, I'm working at a high school, and I'm currently about to start my credential program to be a teacher so that by next year I am a full-time math or physics teacher. I have never felt more fulfilled, secured, and happier. Yes, some students have attitudes, but it's not as stressful when being a software engineer with deadlines and dealing with corporate politics. And, for my case, for some reason the students enjoy me including the most "troublemaker" ones

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @blackcubes, That’s such an inspiring story! It sounds like you made a thoughtful decision to leave the stress and uncertainty of the tech industry behind, and it’s amazing to hear how fulfilled and happy you are as a teacher. The fact that even the "troublemaker" students enjoy having you around says a lot about the positive impact you’re making. Just curious (and asking for myself): What inspired you to take the leap into teaching? Wishing you all the best as you finish your credential program and continue making a difference!

[@Nani78236]

Yes ,some students have attitude , they were leave after there academic years ,so don't mind it

[@bilgeP]

Good points. It will continue to be toxic as long as we promote technical people to managerial roles just because they know a lot of technical stuff. Management is a different profession that requires study and experience.

[@thg2123]

True Tony i wear out. I dont want work. Pressure is more. Health risk is there

[@dgc0120]

Welcome to the world that every other technical and engineering professional has dealt with as management focused on outsourcing and financial engineering to meet quarterly numbers that only went up for the C-suite and the asset class owners. Now get back to work training your replacements.

[@patricknealon5009]

Tony, are you describing the oil & gas industry in Houston

[@techietenka]

Earned a subscriber here.

[@_lembo_]

Agreed

[@justincapable]

I've worked in the IT industry for almost 25 years. In that time, I learned that my responsibilities in the role don't define who I am as a person. The job pays for my interests. It allows me to spend more time as a husband and a father, buy land, grow vegetables, and raise chickens. How and where I devote my free time is what defines me.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @justincapable, I love that perspective. It’s so easy to get caught up in the identity tied to our jobs, but what really matters is how we spend our time outside of work. It sounds like you’ve found a great balance, focusing on what brings you joy and fulfillment. Raising chickens and growing vegetables sounds like a rewarding way to live! If it were me, I’d probably get a goat too! :-). What’s been the most rewarding part of your time spent with family and working on your land? Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@sk3ffingtonai]

Well said, Tony. Having built and operated my own IT support company for 30 years; often times some customers can be unreasonable, toxic, and unrelenting. In a sense, they are my employer. I have hung in due to this is what IT people do. We persevere. We make things happen. We build things. We fix things others cannot. People depend on us. At what personal cost?

[@shis10]

Hey i am based out of India. I want to start Software Development Agency. how to get first clients ?. Your feedback is appreciated

[@MrGreen087]

It's not just coding. Same situation in digital marketing, UX design, product management. VCs leaving traditional tech areas such SaaS, Mobile apps etc. Replacing whitecollar workforce with AI seems to be the most hyped up market at the moment 😂

[@Goodman-b5z]

After failing brutally by ai they will start hiring people back after 2-3 years

[@amochswohntet99]

I think this applies mostly to coders. Burnt out coders are everywhere it seems.

[@SohamSamy]

left fr new path, each and everything you said I hv gone through

[@Bitcoin1y]

Aren't massive layoffs going on?

[@roromemeqatar123]

This is year and coming years definitely

[@999timepass]

Quit more than a decade ago with life long C-PTSD and not wanting to go back to work. The dehumanization is why people are quitting. Your performance is evaluated by pretty women in marketing who were hired just for their pretty face.

[@rockpadstudios]

There are a lot of workers that need to leave the tech industry because they simply don't have the skills to do the job. I interviewed a guy the other day and asked him what he did for 8 years at one job on his resume. He said C, bash, and python. I asked about his C work, and he said he supported the C team but didn't write any code. I asked him about python, and he said he supported the python team but didn't write any code. I then said so you did bash scripts for 8 years and he said yes. This guy had an EE degree and never touched any hardware. Sorry as you age many simply can't find jobs in a tough economy.

[@theflyingsmiley01]

I do not think I am feeling burn out. I do agree with the last two points though (job insecurity and meaningful work). The way that low-code no code and AI is going, inevitably, a lot of devs are going to lose their jobs. In addition, I think I have more to say than just developing software.

[@kristopherleslie8343]

Start your own company problem solved

[@yasinyazdanvocal]

I have exactly the same feelings as you do but I don’t have any other alternative to make money so I need to find alternative way to make money

[@Helloworld99799]

What about corporate management jobs? Like management consultant, strategy, planning there jobs are at satke too?

[@Synthalog]

The whole corporate America sucks today.

[@HerezCheez]

Also harsh reality is that you arent as important as you thought. Thats why workplace is getting worse in the first place.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @HerezCheez, That’s a tough reality to swallow, and I get why it can feel discouraging. Sometimes, it feels like you’re just another link in the chain, with everything revolving around cost and output. But I think it’s important to remember that even if we don’t always feel appreciated in some places, our skills and contributions still matter. This really makes me second guess ‘Agile Practices’-are we, as devs, truly irreplaceable? It’s definitely something to think about, especially when it feels like the focus is more on productivity than valuing people. What do you think can be done to make people feel more valued in the workplace? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@Temij-d2x]

Don't have much experience like 3 years, and im like qa/auto qa, but yeah i always have a feeling no matter the place i worked at, that it is kinda mind numbing when you try to process everything that you going through X( . Management and HR just sucking the mental strength from you.

[@alphaomega1351]

Corporatism sucks the life out of EVERYTHING! I can't wait to retire! 🤓

[@Kanhow]

Way is tech industry used interchangeable with software/IT

[@anonanon7822]

I will be leaving tech in a few years, probably would go to trade school. ~10 years career

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @anonanon7822, Ten years in tech is a solid run, and going to trade school sounds like a smart move. It’s awesome that you’re exploring something new that could align better with your goals. What trade are you leaning toward? Honestly, I’m kind of curious for myself, too. Thanks for sharing, and good luck with whatever path you choose!

[@anonanon7822]

@ Basically, my idea was to become electrician. I am partially familiar with this already, so i thought its a good move

[@eliana993]

Good luck idk if that will be any better. I’ve been watching my family members deteriorate because their trades wreaked havoc on their bodies. I hope you have a better plan than them. Being in your 40s in the trades is rough.

[@sumant2000]

Isn't it also means like earning money means it just taking money from somebody else by providing some kind of value or product or service

[@sumant2000]

Because money doesn't grow on trees

[@Agonzalez197]

I love my job but my job burns me out. The delusion is next level.

[@osis3694]

I am too stupid to be programmer i guess thats a blessing

[@OmarMatar-qe3vz]

Making long stories short: the unemployment rate is too high, and it gets even higher year.

[@randyg.7940]

Not me.22 years and more motivated than ever

[@ChristinaFrieburg]

data harvesting in the Job app system and ADP systems should be illegal but instead praises as AI and Data Analytics $$$ and private data funnel

[@aleksanderbrancewicz7888]

Move to Europe bro. No disrespect, and no money either - you'r income will be comparable with an income of the bus driver. Not sure which model is better.

[@primothegreat9022]

First of all, CODING IS DEAD

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @primothegreat9022, Coding is dead? Guess I missed the funeral! 😂 But seriously, do you mean it’s already dead or heading that way in the future? And if so, what do you think we should focus on instead? Would love to hear your thoughts!

[@mar-17905]

@@TonyTheAntonio I think the industry is shifting towards data. In the future I think we will have domain experts that program. Such as Marketers that program to solve a business problem or healthcare experts that program to save patients. I think pure technical expertise will be in the minority. I’m starting to notice a massive shift to this already. What do you think?

[@sagivalia5041]

@@mar-17905 It does sound plausible that in the near future, all the degrees (mostly STEM) will include CS topics and you will no longer have SW jobs, marketers will write the commercial software, mechanical engineers will write CAM and CAD software. CS will probably be like physics where you will be needed in very specific fields.

[@ssdpraveen250]

​@@TonyTheAntonioAI & robots will occupy in coming years we all will be surrendered as a slavery 😂 farming or traditional business is best 😊

[@praphullakumar5484]

Helpful video

[@gersondacunha4494]

Maybe it is am interest if topic but the intro was too dense (describing your feeling when coding), i mean it as a constructive advice

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @gersondacunha4494, Thanks for your constructive feedback! I totally get what you're saying-the intro can definitely feel dense, especially when diving into personal feelings around coding. I’ll keep that in mind moving forward and try to balance the emotional context with more focused content. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Did you watch the video all the way through? What part resonated most with you, and why? Thanks again!

[@gersondacunha4494]

@@TonyTheAntonio Hey! you nail every point. Just to add to the toxic environment, there has always been this "just play along" with the corporate protocols, just like C-level management acts like they care for employees and employees have to act like they feel happy for some company's achievement they don't care about and if you feel drained just these work climate surveys or performance review are a pain when everyone knows they are meaningless and they are done just to comply. On what resonates most with me is the job security point and even one step further, knowing the industry is investing trillions to get rid of us. Keep up with the good work

[@KennTollens]

AI can create the rigid processes leaving your imagination to create the software. I ended up taking an easy lower paying job so I could spend my time tinkering on my own programs.

[@GameDevSaiTejVejju]

So, should I just give up my data engineering tech transition. 😂😂😂. I am working in a shitty customer service job where I am the scapegoat for management decisions and I am planning to pivot back to tech again. All these videos are discouraging me. Don't know what to do. Game development is my dream but I can't get a job in my country.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @GameDevSaiTejVejju, I get it-feeling stuck in a job that doesn’t appreciate you can definitely make you question your career path. But don’t let these videos discourage you. Breaking into the tech industry can be tough, but your dream of game development is still possible with persistence and the right opportunities. Data engineering is still a high-demand field, so if you have a passion for it, keep at it! Do you have specific goals or skills you’re focusing on for game development? Breaking things down into manageable steps might help make it feel more achievable. Everyone’s path is different, but don’t give up on your dream! Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@GameDevSaiTejVejju]

@@TonyTheAntonio Thanks for the reply. I am specifically interested in real time rendering. I have been in love with Computer graphics as far as I know. I kept learning things whenever I had free time. It's just that there is not much free time because I am in a demanding day job. It drains my energy completely by evening. I have been postponing my dream for almost 14 years. The data engineering pivot is only to move away from my country to the places where game development is abundant.

[@HUEHUEUHEPony]

Old devs need to get out, we need people who use deepseek to code

[@pulanala1421]

😂😂😂

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @HUEHUEUHEPony, I get that you’re excited about new tools like deepseek, but I think there’s value in the experience that older developers bring to the table. The balance between new technology and seasoned knowledge is crucial for growth in the industry. This news definitely was a disturbance in the OpenAI force. Competition is good. How do you think the competition between deepseek and OpenAI will affect the future of coding? Thanks for watching!

[@aslkdjfzxcv9779]

the economy is screwed. enjoy the fallout.

[@mindfool8072]

I am out of this industry.

[@NowaczekYT]

Reason #1: Being fired.

[@passportbro904]

You just explained having a job. Do ur own thing then and stop moaning

[@ChristinaFrieburg]

consultimg companies stink so do Agile and sAFe & funnel calling it PM and innovation

[@dubscheckum11]

Welcome to legit engineering

[@moosetrackslover]

im a programmer; read the bible 🔥it is the true LIFE.

[@bolly02]

You are dot on sir. Btw thos is happening in every industries

[@greanch1234]

That’s grim 🥲

[@salookie8000]

Go do some exercise to release work stress. Walk a dog. Take a walk break during work hours. Talk to friends at work. There are many ways to defeat the doldrums of coding in an isolated environment. Coding all day without human interaction is a lonely and poor work ethic. People want to receive data that expect to receive and we developer help to deliver those needs.

[@kristopherleslie8343]

I’d say I disagree at times. The guy who actually came up with the concept of working hours etc is the stem and root of the problem. Most of us need 4-5 hours to do meaningful work.

[@39MinuteMan]

Welcome to the real life

[@Ozi_Land]

Hey you are so negative man, you have to think and live positiveness. Be positive. Just bottle up all of those negative feelings and store them away. Just be positive and dont complain. Just accept it

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Hi @Ozi_Land, Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I get that staying positive is important, but sometimes we need to acknowledge the struggles and how they affect us. Bottling everything up or just accepting it can make it harder to move forward. It’s about finding a balance between being positive and addressing the challenges. Do you think years of exposure to negativity at work might have made me think this way? How do you handle tough situations while keeping a positive mindset? Appreciate you sharing your perspective!

[@Ozi_Land]

@@TonyTheAntonio Ah ah no way, not allowed to complain! Smile and nothing else. Haha otherwise you will be labelled....negative! haha

[@z352kdaf8324]

You all don't drink enough.

[@sankhadeepCHATTERJEE007]

I quit Last year after Spending 10+ years mainly in Fintech software development companies . I am living minimalist Life, going for non tech creative meaningful path, writing, photography, voice acting travel blogging. In India staying with Old parents is considered as a good thing, so I am sharing the daily expenditure with them from my savings.i love coding, but not liking corporate Job ,unlike my younger brother.

[@pradyumnanayak9844]

May lord Jesus bless you forever and ever 🌺. Amen.

[@TonyTheAntonio]

Thank you. And you as well. God Bless. Thanks for watching!

[@muthukumaranr7180]

1.5X 😂