This particular round of layoffs has been a tipping point. I can’t even pinpoint exactly why. I haven’t been happy in my role here for a while. There’s been a persistent sense that the culture is deteriorating, and I’ve found myself enjoying both the job and the work environment less and less. I’m also dreading the aftermath of the layoffs. If the job market weren’t so bad, and if I weren’t so terrified of what the future might hold in such uncertain times, I think I would’ve already left.
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There is really no place that's perfect. There are always issues. The key is finding a project where one can tolerate the "imperfections" reasonably. Let's define an ordinal scale of 1-10 where a 10 is "perfect" but doesn't usually exist. I have found that I can tolerate about a 6-7 reasonably. The catch is to have genuine skills that are applicable to that project AND the worker is good at. In my case, I have been told by multiple project managers across multiple companies that I am very good at ETL. I have also gotten very good feedback for Java API and python chatbot AI with databases. So, I try to revolve around those strengths.
If a project doesn't work out, rather than getting bitter and turn into the "red stapler guy", I just leave. Consulting is "at will". In the old days, consultants usually gave two weeks notice. But in recent years, if a consulting project went south, I just quit abruptly without two weeks notice. I know layoffs generally occur "abruptly" so I figure it's only fair to quit "abruptly" too - lol.
I walked off a project a few weeks ago and joined a new one that is much better for me. I didn't even give two weeks notice. I didn't feel guilty about it. I have seen all the layoff feedback from people let go abruptly on this thread and a wide plethora of YouTube videos showing layoffs in real-time via recorded meetings. It's crazy out there with all the layoffs going on.
You can find a new project where the fit is "reasonable" with tolerance. Just don't expect perfection. I have learned it generally doesn't exist in my decades of engineering experience going back to 1989. That summer, I was a mechanical engineering intern doing simple machine shop work in the SF Bay Area. I met a senior machinist trained in the US Navy who was an expert in the field. One day, he gave me a whole eye opening diatribe about all the things wrong with the place. There is usually someone like that at every company - the eyes and ears of the institution who knows the strengths and weaknesses of the place. I've learned to be happy with a 6 or so. With all the layoffs and instability, it looks like Medtronic is at a 4 for people who have remained there. I can't tolerate a 4. And I don't have to. There is an old song by Johnny Paycheck called "Take this job and ..." It's on YT. I listened to it the day I quit my last job abruptly a few weeks ago.
Unfortunately, the deterioration of work culture is everywhere now. Just look at all the perks large companies like Google and Facebook used to have. It's all gone and replaced with micro managers and impossible goals to meet.
I totally understand. Working at Medtronic has been like that for so long. I was let go Feb 2023 & I enjoyed the job & helping the patients. Just hated the lies, the broken promises & the office politics that were so unnecessary. Hearing the news about the diabetes division being an independent company and all the "supportive messages" to Que on linkedin is ridiculous. I would definitely look at different opportunities just in case & keep doing the best you can until you can leave to something better. Be encouraged!