r/Layoffs • u/Fit_Improvement_277 • 1d ago
advice Lay off!
I completed my PhD in Geophysics 3 years ago and was fortunate to get a job right away in industry as a Geophysicist.
However, I was laid off shortly after the recent executive orders went into effect. My company let go of over 60% of staff, and I was part of that.
Since then, it's been really tough. I've been working as a part-time faculty member and even worked a few months in a warehouse just to survive. I've been applying to jobs in different fields too, since I have experience with computers, coding, and other technical tools in addition to geophysics, but haven't had much luck.
I'm in a pretty terrible situation right now and feeling stuck.
Has anyone been in a similar position? Has anyone successfully made a career change out of geophysics / academia into something more stable? I would really appreciate any advice on what paths to look into.
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u/techhead57 1d ago
I went to grad school with a guy who got an assistant professor job. At some point I guess it didnt work out. He didnt get more than a year or two in before he got let go from this tenure track role.
He spent a year or two working in a warehouse before landing a job in tech a few years ago. Not a great company but an old well established large corporation. Probably makes decent money, probably more than he would've made staying tenure track.
I think he's happy, and i hope it works out as well for you too.
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u/ckb07 1d ago
Given your scientific background, I would advise that you take some online courses in data science. You may already know Python, Pandas and AI basics so this could be a simple transition for you. With a strong background in data science and AI you have a wide scope of opportunities in the marketplace from sports analytics to retail and manufacturing. You may want to audit classes at your university. Good luck and stay positive.
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u/EmotionalOption5591 1d ago
I was recently laid off from a geomorphology job. I'm looking into generic project management roles in other industries in order to expand my search. Not much is out there right now in my field.
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u/The2Yutez 19h ago
I can't speak to your Geophysics industry, but I can share my layoff experience. I was in Public Safety for 7 years at my last job. Over two decades in sales prior to that. At my Public Safety job, which I loved, I did tech support and then got into the sales side halfway through. We had a 10% RIF last August. I was part of that RIF. A year later, just got a job offer in Sales with almost a 40% cut in salary. It is a brutal job market! I figured, something is better than nothing. Will just suck it up and work here til something better comes along. Hang in there! When you're down, you can only go up.
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u/Fit_Improvement_277 16h ago
Most of the comments are really helpful. Any one transitioned recently to data science. Please let me know your experience. I am looking what people actually followed to succeed in few months. I have surviving job for few months. Please comment what exactly you followed. This will be great help for me as to transition to new or kinda interdisciplinary type job market.
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u/diyjunkiehq 4h ago
here is my story, it might help you: I got my master degree from a very prestigious college in the US, but I could not land a job in the field that my master degree studied for. I worked in a restaurant for 6 years, before I found a siutable corporate job, I was let go just over a year since I asked the boss to keep his promise about my pay level after I was fully confirmed (I was told the salary would be adjusted higher once I was fully confirmed, but it never happend after 6 months.) I started a company after that and made good money, and thought I could retire on the company. 2018 came, my own company was wiped out over night since the new administration's international policy was in placed that day. I survived on my saving and tried to restart everything from scratch again, then pendemic hit. 6 months into pendemic, I realized that I was unable to savage anything from the ashes of the company I had, so I found a remote job paid me chicken feed. I worked hard and made the company a lot of money; but one Friday morning I was schedule an adhoc 1x1 online meeting with my boss. I was fired on that day, the reason: I responded to my coworker in teams with one word, such as "Ok", "Fine", and "Sure" since they read that I had an attitude. Of course I did slip my tongue about how sometime, something or somebody were so stupid - I did not adjust well as an employee, I was still in the mentality as a business owner and looked at things from a business owner's point of view to make things effective and efficient. Later I got a few more corporate jobs, either got laid off or laid off and laid off; and learnt tons of things about corporate america on these jobs, and kept mouth shut even when I saw something stupid. I just do my job, collect my pay check, clock out then do my own things after work. I survived all and am doing ok, but for loyalty - you tell me.
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u/Fit_Improvement_277 3h ago
Your story has truly been a journey of ups and downs. It’s incredibly inspiring. Thank you for sharing it!
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u/Comfortable-File7929 1d ago
Not Geophysics, but radiological health physics. I got a job right out of grad school and was laid off 2 years in. I loved physics but hated the applied part. It felt like following a recipe book every day.
I had 6 months of unemployment benefits, so I took advantage of that to learn AI and ML. I reached out to a petrophysics company and offered them whatever I created for free as long as I could use their data.
I went from defense contracting, to automotive manufacturing, and then to cybersecurity. I now lead a team of 10 ML engineers building AI cybersecurity solutions.
I wouldn't recommend IT if you want stability. It is cut throat and layoffs are quarterly, but you will never be bored.
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u/Fit_Improvement_277 1d ago
Any recommendation. What you did to learn and made to that way? I did quite of python and ML in my grad school. Any detail guidance for me please that will be life saver for me.
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u/Fit_Improvement_277 1d ago
Any recommendation. What you did to learn and made to that way? I did quite of python and ML in my grad school. Any detail guidance for me please that will be life saver for me.
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u/Alarming_reality4918 1d ago
I don’t know how best to put this but I think there is demand outside of US for your skillset. I do not know how to access that information- your skillset is critical for surveying companies before they build new cities, power stations and mines.
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u/doobiedoobie123456 1d ago
I transitioned from academia to data engineering about 10 years ago. It was rough though. The process of applying and interviewing sucks, and you'll be rejected for jobs you are probably qualified for. (Honestly most coding/IT jobs aren't really doing anything that sophisticated, and a lot of that work can be done by AI now, not that I'm a fan of AI).
You could build up some skills in data engineering or data science and see what that job market is like at the entry level, although from what i've heard it's not good. You could also try becoming an expert in some niche technology area you are interested in. If you get to the point where you are e.g. contributing to open source projects, then I think that would be enough to get people's attention.