Big Tech Dreams vs. Reality
From the Excitement of a Computer Science Student to the Harsh Reality of Layoffs—An Unfiltered Look at SDE Life in Big Tech.
For many computer science students, landing a job at a FAANG company has always been a dream. The allure of a stable and exciting career—working in a fancy office, enjoying free lunches, exploring the city, attending team events, contributing to cutting-edge innovations, taking vacations at luxurious locations, and spending quality time with friends—paints an enticing picture.
In short, dream of a stable life.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
I was also one of those computer science students and started working for a Big Tech giant after graduation. But does reality match the dream? Let me share my honest experience from the past four years working at one of the Big Tech giants—Amazon. I’ll be as transparent as possible because there’s no reason to sugarcoat anything.
The Beginning: Landing a Dream Job
I joined Amazon in June 2021, and from the start, my journey was filled with unbelievable experiences.
Initially, things were great. I didn’t choose my team, but luckily, I ended up in one of the best teams possible. I loved the work, the services we were building, and the collaboration among different teams. I was completing my tasks ahead of schedule and constantly asking for more because every day felt like a learning experience.
I was fascinated by Amazon’s internal tools and how teams worked together to build a massive ecosystem. Every project had dedicated owners working alongside others to deliver impactful solutions. It felt like being part of something big, something meaningful.
During this period, I enjoyed every moment of my work life. I was grateful for this opportunity—something I had dreamed of since I first started using Google (in other words, a decade-long dream). And beyond work, life was equally amazing:
Exploring new restaurants and cuisines
Weekend trips with friends
Traveling to different cities and states
Improved life style
I truly believed my life had reached the stability I had always envisioned. But as the saying goes:
Bad times come when you least expect them.
The Unexpected Downturn
As the tech industry began to decline, so did the global economy. Then came the massive layoffs—starting with Meta's biggest layoff in history, soon followed by other companies, including Amazon.
One of my closest friends, who was working on an incredible project I once desired, suddenly got laid off. Just like that. It didn’t matter how important the project was, how critical the deadlines were, or how valuable the team was. It was a brutal wake-up call.
At the time, I thought this was just a one-time event. I was wrong.
Layoff after layoff followed. More colleagues lost their jobs—some welcomed it, while others struggled with the uncertainty.
Recently, I witnessed a layoff that I still find hard to believe. It was not an IC but someone from management. They announced some organizational changes a week before, which I was curious to hear about from them, and the next week, while they were on a business trip, they heard about their own layoff. Isn’t that shocking?
The Shift in Perspective
Everything feels different now. To be honest, stability was never part of the equation in life.
Looking back at the dreams I once had, even when I try to enjoy the same things, the happiness isn’t the same. The reality of the industry has changed my perspective. My biggest takeaway from all of this is:
"Whatever you dream of, once you achieve it, you will never enjoy it the same way again."
Looking back, there are two key lessons that I believe anyone—whether aspiring to work at FAANG or pursuing other career dreams—can resonate with:
1. No Job is Truly "Stable"—Adaptability is Key
Many people enter the tech industry (or any field) believing that landing a dream job at a big company ensures long-term stability. However, as seen in this story, even highly skilled professionals at top companies aren’t immune to layoffs and industry shifts.
The key takeaway? Job security is never guaranteed. Instead of relying solely on a company for stability, focus on building skills, networking, and staying adaptable in a changing job market.
2. Dreams Change Once You Achieve Them
We often romanticize certain career goals, imagining that once we reach them, happiness and satisfaction will last forever. However, reality is different. Over time, the excitement fades, and new challenges emerge. This doesn’t mean achieving dreams isn’t worthwhile—it simply means that happiness isn’t tied to a single milestone. True fulfillment comes from continuous growth, learning, and embracing new aspirations along the way.
These lessons apply not just to the tech industry but to anyone navigating career ambitions and life expectations.
What’s Your Dream? Let's Talk!
I’ll share more thoughts on this in my upcoming articles. But for now, if you’re a computer science student dreaming of a FAANG job, I’d love to hear from you!
What are you dreaming about? Drop your thoughts, and I’ll share my personal experience to help you navigate your expectations.
Great article! I totally agree that we shouldn't get too comfortable in our jobs. We never know when things might change, like a competitor taking over or the economy going down. And we don't have control over it.
It's a bit scary to think about, but it also pushes us (in a positive way) to keep growing as people and in our work. Thanks for sharing this story!