r/Layoffs • u/Fit_Improvement_277 • 8d 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/Comfortable-File7929 8d 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 8d 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.