Throughout the end of 2022 and going into 2023, tech giants like Amazon and Google have resorted to mass layoffs and reduced hiring, leaving many without jobs.

While most industries struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic, tech companies prospered, creating countless job openings. As the pandemic tapers off, tech companies have been forced to assess alleged overhiring, leading them to take measures to reduce the headcount.

“Over the pandemic, there was way more hiring because everyone was at home. Now, they are going back on it. The economy right now is super unpredictable with inflation,” said AP Computer Science student Kyle Zhou (‘24).

The layoffs have been in part caused by mass inflation, pushing companies to curb their spending.

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Beyond the world of tech: exploring alternative career paths for students

With the ambiguity of the current economy, companies like Microsoft have cut up to 11,000 employees, with others announcing similar numbers.

“I am worried about how easy it’s going to be to get a job later on. I was thinking about going into computer science as my major but right now it’s looking really uncertain,” said Zhou.

With the decline of tech, other industries have taken the spotlight.

“Healthcare got a lot more attention because of the pandemic so they are always hiring. Engineering and maybe more applied sciences are getting a lot more attention now, so I think a lot of students might switch,” said Zhou.

Amador is home to hundreds of students that plan to work in the tech industry. However, with questions regarding tech’s future, students are looking for other opportunities.