What career moves should tech workers be making in an economic downturn?

I am starting a Master's degree in CS from Georgia Tech. (OMSCS program). Tuition is exceptionally low and you may have the option of using government loans to pay your bills, depending on your financial circumstances.

The economics of a master's degree are often debated (they often use standard tuition rates which are much, much higher than OMSCS), but even if it's not technically the most financially superior decision to make, I get to sit out this economic downturn (and the resulting workplace stresses) while learning cool and interesting new things for fun.

The same as in times of a booming economy: Sharpen your tools, learn new and old stuff, revisit the basics. Work on your social skills and networking. Maintain or improve your physical and mental health.

Recessions are turbulent, sometimes chaotic. Companies fall, others raise. Hypes die faster, as everyone turns to businesses that offer real value…

Come up with side project{s} that will make you some extra money and not wholly dependent on your day job.

The less dependent on a single stream of income, the more resilient you will be.

Maybe a good time to start something of your own? Be it full-time if you have the savings/investment, or on the side.