Is it Still Worth Getting Into The Tech Industry in 2024

In this video, we dive deep into the current state of the tech industry in 2024. Despite facing a ton of challenges, including economic downturns, layoffs, and the rapid pace of technological change, we explore why now, more than ever, might actually be the best time to start or continue your career in tech.

I will share a candid look at the difficulties facing the tech industry today, but more importantly, focus on the hope and opportunities that lie ahead. From the rise of AI and machine learning to the expanding importance of cybersecurity, the tech landscape is evolving in ways that open up new pathways for innovation and employment.

Whether you're a student contemplating a tech degree, a professional considering a career switch, or simply interested in the future of technology, this video provides valuable insights and encouragement. The tech industry may be facing a tough time, but the potential for impactful work and innovation is still here.

Timestamps
0:00 The current state of the tech industry
1:51 Tech layoffs that are happening right now
3:13 Is it worth getting into tech when there are so many layoffs
3:37 Is AI taking tech jobs?
4:40 Is tech still cool?
5:26 What does an ex-Google worker think?
5:51 Tech touches ALL industries
6:57 So should you still stay in or pursue tech?

[cptndunsel]

It is hard to get into the tech industry right now. It is hard to get into any industry right now. The job market just straight up sucks.

[GeorgiaMade]

As someone who got my first help desk job in 1999 fresh out of high school and has held various tech roles over the years, this too shall pass. I’ve seen the ups and downs throughout the years but I’ve never seen a flood of people get into the industry like the last few years thanks to all the social media lies influencers pushed about making 6 figures with no experience and no degree, only a scam bootcamp course. Those people will fade away as most already has

[vincenzoriwu]

You don't choose a career only for money or market trends but because you love what you do.. the rest doesn't really matter at least to me.

[theminertom]

When did "Tech" get to mean only software or coding? I am an electronics design engineer and have been for over 40 years. I hate to say this but "electronics" is "Tech" too. You can shoot me for saying this but for many years now, it has been easier to get into software than hardware because, for one thing, if you compile something up enough times, eventually, you can get something functional. Most of the time. In hardware, you get one shot until your PCB or ASIC comes back and then the real work begins (it's called debug and don't let anyone tell you that their hardware always comes back perfect on the first try...they are lying). Also, in hardware you need to be where the hardware IS and that involves some kind of a lab, not your coffee shop. But, nowadays, with the internet being as ubiquitous as it is, a software position can be done from anywhere in the world, like Hanoi Vietnam, Mumbai India or Bumfuck Egypt (and who among us has not been to "Bumfuck" or BFE?). That means that the cheapest labor will always have an advantage, so that if you live in Silicon Valley you need to come up with some outrageous amount of money just to have a roof over your head whereas if you live in BFE, the cost of living is much cheaper. Therefore, there will ALWAYS be layoffs in the expensive cost of living cities.

[thene]

That's what I was thinking. People think of tech when it comes to google or facebook but banks, accounting firms and almost any industry has tech in it. I also think AI is being ridiculously overhyped. It will be just a new tool, a really good one per say. Remember when we were supposed to have tons autonomous vehicles and delivery drones by now. Right.

[izael]

Even if it wasn't financially viable or there was a lack of opportunity, it would still be my hobby for sure.

[ashergreen]

I am not worried about AI taking over. Instead I am embracing it. You are 100% correct, tech is everywhere so there are more jobs created, not less. Furthermore if it does come to computers being able to program themselves then there will be other jobs that will be open. When one door closes 10 others open up. Look back through history and you will see a long list of jobs that don't exist anymore because of tech ology, but at the same time a plethora of new jobs were created. I am not worried as long as I continue to learn new things, adapt and remain flexible.

[TheBauertech]

Thank you for the video. I feel like every year people ask the question is it too late to get into tech. I feel like I am just at the start of my journey and what I learned is there is not an ideal time to get into tech. The best thing to do is jump in and see where learning takes you

[BillAshtonNelo]

I’m leveraging it as we speak and all day every day. Early investors win.

[danhiester]

For people who do have tech skills, now is probably the right time to look for opportunities to use those skills in something different. There are lots of jobs being posted, yes, but jobs posted does not equal hiring. Unfortunately, in the US, the layoffs in December 2023 and January 2024 undid basically all of the employment growth that happened in 2023. As tech orgs make cuts to their workforce in order to free up budget to hire for people with AI skills, the percentage of people let go is often double the tech industry's annual growth rate. My ballpark estimate is that only half the people who've been laid off will find something in 12 months or less, because that is the maximum capacity for opportunity in the field this year.

The skills we developed may still have value, but skills alone won't land jobs, and for around half of us, literally nothing will land the kind of jobs we're used to working. It may not be time to walk away from those skills completely, but it is probably time to think about applying those skills to different jobs. I mean, think even beyond a tech org at a non-tech company. Think beyond doing the freelance version of a job you've done in the past. What are some totally unfamiliar jobs where your skills are needed?

[TiffInTech]

Curious to get your take on this. Do you feel like tech is still a good industry to be in?

[alex_lll]

After being SWE for ~15 years I'm feeling sort of bored and tired by tech. I would try something else if not for the fact that it's the only I can do and other industries pay less and look even worse. So ... long live programming.

[thefattysplace]

I ask myself this pretty much everyday at the moment, even after being a software engineer for 15+ years. Ai coupled with the rate at which tech is changing at the moment, it seems impossible to stay relevant for much longer!

[connecticutaggie]

Dave Plummer put up a great video on whether AI will make programmer's obsolete.
Summary, any industry is going to have employees with skills on a bell curve. For programming, AI will likely replace those at the bottom of the curve.
So, if you are passionate about tech and will spend the time to get good, it is a great place. If you are looking to tech as the latest way to get paid for little effort, look elsewhere.

[Tfmizzle]

Currently signed up for a certificate program paid through work to learn SW Application development. Want to gain some technical background so that if I do go back into tech in Tech I can have rapport with the SW Dev team as they begin implementing things collected from the voice of the customer. From a former Product Mgmt team member.

[xurantu]

And if not tech, then what? I really don't know what to think...
P.S. Happy celebrating March8 ❤😊🌹

[TheITCornerbyJR]

Yes AI will definitely replace some Tech Jobs. But not all! Stay Strong Tech Fam ✊🏼😎

[binry_dstructr]

On the one hand, I can see Jensen's point. I spent 3 years studying AI/ML from simple linear regression all the way to coding my own seq2seq transformer from scratch. Today, everything I need to do has already been done by others through Hugging Face, and they probably did a much better job than I could. However, here's my rebuttal question to Jensen: if no one bothers to learn how to code anymore because AI is just going to do the coding for us, who's going to code the AI?

P.S. No, I am not worried about my job security.

[michaelrobinson]

I have been thinking the same. I am intrigued tech in industries like finance and healthcare. What do you think about the demand for Ai consultants

[PythonArms]

Great video!! I am a data analyst for US Airforce and have done some work for the IRS. A piece of advice I would give to upcoming devs is to not be "stove piped". For example some people will l learn python and expect to be able to work anywhere. Python may check a box but also look at other soft skills and what other applications companies are using in their tech stack and work on learning those. Hope this helps. 😎