Laid-off from Big tech, found new job and still very unhappy

Question

Hi folks from HN,Like many, I been laid-off by a big tech a while ago. I still feel I haven't managed to recover emotionally from this despite doing therapy.I work mostly with webdev and had top performance, but they've decided to abandon most R&D efforts in my country in Europe.I have a new job, but it isn't anywhere mentally stimulating as the previous one, as to get where I was, I worked really hard. I'm my 30s and have had a good career so far, but now it seems I went back a few years, perhaps almost a decade.It might sound silly as there are plenty of people still looking for a new job. But I find my current job sad, the scale of work is minimal and it isn't growing at all, but it helps to foot my living expenses. Also, it was a huge pay cut to come back to my local job market.But I wish I could back to big tech and work in really interesting problems, with scale etc. But at least in Europe for my skillset, this looks over. Most interesting companies now are mostly only hiring in US.I feel also limited because I don't have the money to say fuck you and try something new for a few years without income.I'd like to have back this excitement back, of working in a big and important thing and I'm wondering what are the next steps, there are a few possibilities:- Try to re-skill in AI (I did some courses, understand linear regression etc, but nowhere as good as to be even a junior ML eng) - Further specialize and try to get back into Big Tech again when the market is better - Try to build a company (etc).Perhaps if you have been into this situation, I'd like some enlightement that would help me deal with it.I don't feel well at all. My work has always mattered a lot to me and now my skillset is suddenly not that interesting anymore. I feel in despair.

ssss11 · Accepted Answer

I transitioned from tech to project management in a similar down period, and although I miss some things, I’m also trying something new, related and geared to some of my skills.
I’m not saying you need to do that, but know that you haven’t failed if you try something new.
Life is tough, it will throw difficult situations at you, and you have to figure out what’s next. It could simply be finding that great tech role again with difficult problems, or it could be one of infinite other possibilities.
Good luck and keep talking to people about how you feel.

fwsgonzo · Answer

What the other commenter said, you need to step back and think logically here. Technically everyone is missing out on something, but we're not stressed out about all of it. It would be too much. Personally, I am working on interesting things mostly alone. That said, just like you, the most fun I had was working in a startup that did cool shit, and now that it's over I miss it.

thiago_fm · Answer

Take your time and relax. It seems you've been through a lot.

gymbeaux · Answer

I&rsquo;m on a sabbatical after a layoff most of us had months&rsquo; notice to. I&rsquo;ve been &ldquo;unemployed&rdquo; for almost 5 months. I like it. I&rsquo;m actively interviewing now that the holidays are over, but it seems like the market is still light, no doubt due to all the layoffs that have happened as recently as this month. Eh. I&rsquo;ve got 30 more years to work, what&rsquo;s a few more months off?