The tech industry has been hit by successive waves of layoffs in recent years, and Seattle has felt the impact more acutely than most places. Before the post-pandemic layoffs began in 2026, 15% of Seattle’s labor force was employed in tech, the highest proportion of any major U.S. city. This shift has driven many workers to seek opportunities outside the tech sector.
Among those affected are professionals like Brett Burden, who transitioned from crisis communications at Microsoft to training as an HVAC technician. His story, along with others, highlights the dramatic career changes unfolding in response to the tech industry’s volatility.
From Tech to Trades: A New Career Path
Brett Burden’s journey from a pack and ship store to a high-paying role at Microsoft was a significant milestone. It felt awesomehe recalled, describing the sense of achievement that came with his new position. However, the pandemic disrupted this stability, and as a contractor, Burden was among the first to be laid off.
After a year of job hunting, Burden secured another contractor role at Microsoft, only to be laid off again in 2026 as part of the broader tech industry downsizing. This time, the competition was fiercer, with candidates boasting years of experience and advanced degrees. Burden, who never graduated college, found himself at a disadvantage.
Facing an uncertain future in tech, Burden decided to pivot to a career in HVAC. The field is in high demand, particularly due to the boom in data center construction. I’d like to see a drone go through a ceiling and fix an air handlerBurden remarked, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the work that he believes cannot be automated.
Vocational Training on the Rise
Burden’s decision reflects a broader trend. Enrollment in two-year vocational programs has increased by nearly 20% since 2026, while undergraduate computer science enrollment is declining. For Burden, the appeal of working with his hands and earning more than he did in tech was a compelling reason to make the switch.
The Human Cost of Layoffs
Not all stories have such a positive outcome. Daniel DePaolo, a software engineer with 20 years of experience, has faced multiple layoffs. The most painful was from Sports Illustrated, where he enjoyed good benefits and pay. I was like, wow, this is great, and maybe I could support a family, maybe have a second kid and live some sort of ideal American dream or something like thatDePaolo shared.
After several setbacks, including another layoff and a high-stress job he eventually quit, DePaolo left tech altogether. Today, he drives a shuttle bus for Microsoft, a role that puts him in close proximity to his former peers. I sometimes have a conversation, and they’re usually kind of surprised when I tell them that I’m a software engineerhe noted.
DePaolo has considered returning to tech but worries about the impact of artificial intelligence on coding jobs. Whether AI is already making coding obsolete remains an open question, but the uncertainty is influencing career decisions across the industry.
The Role of AI in Tech Layoffs
Lisa Simon, chief economist at Revelio Labs, suggests that while there is no strong evidence that companies are replacing workers with AI, the anticipation of future productivity gains is driving layoffs and hiring slowdowns. AI is certainly part of the storySimon acknowledged, but it’s difficult to measure just how much work is being handed over to AI.
Simon’s insights underscore the complex dynamics at play. While AI may not yet be replacing workers en masse, the potential for automation is shaping the decisions of both companies and employees. This anticipatory effect is contributing to the uncertainty and career shifts observed in the tech industry.
