As I walked along the corridors, the usual smiling exchanges were not visible. I asked "how is it going"? Answer was always "Not a good day". They conveyed news to some of their people. Some people were shocked that they were in the list. Some least expected it. Were they Naive or did we make them complacent? Donot know. But people read the tea leaves and thought they predicted their stay. Some were wrong and some terribly wrong and they were totally taken back. Many people that I knew were courteous after hearing it; Just IM'ed to tell what happened to them. They accepted it as part of life and to move on. They will probably get up early morning tomorrow and think how did it all happen. I was surprised by my reaction to some. I least expected one of the guys to go. But he did. When I heard that, my stomach churned and I felt heart drop. Gosh how could such hard working and sincere person go? I started recollecting all my interactions and discussions with this friend in the hall ways. How much we loved to talk about the technology and discuss the commercial side of these innovations. Today he is no longer in Qualcomm. I will not see his smiling face to talk about deep technical topics. Life has to go on, as they say. I wish all the best to the people that are affected. If any of you reading were part of this RIF, please understand that you still are a great Engineer. No one can take it away from you. World still needs engineers and you can do it. Donot loose heart, however hard it sounds. All the best my friends and you shall be successful
8 replies (most recent on top)
Feel the same way.. could not sleep last night.. will miss those times a lot..
Sorry for all those let go - one thing is certain expect to change workplace every 4-5 years. QC was the place many looked @ to settle in for the long... that's why there are so many.
After all the hatred and racism I've read on this board, this post had me tear up. Thank you for showing compassion and empathy, which has been sorely lacking.
If only other posts were as meaningful and heartfelt. I think there is a lesson here for all the good engineers: Marketplace can be brutal, nothing lasts forever. Focus on the work but be prepared to move on to something new every 4-5 years.
Thank you for your heartfelt post. I experienced what you described today. Tonight I am grieving over the fact that a number of very talented, courageous, intelligent people who truly cared about doing what was best for Qualcomm were let go today. Yes, I am grateful that I was spared from having to scurry to replace my Qualcomm income. But I couldn't keep my tears back at certain points of the day when I saw the damage Qualcomm has done to itself by laying off such talented people who cared about the company enough to give their best every day. These are great collaborators who got results from teams and made it fun to get the work done. Some knew of serious problems with Qualcomm processes and took brave measures to get the powers-that-be to know of the issues so they could be remedied. They did this not for personal gain or self-promotion but to help the company. Now they are gone and the issues remain. Like the OP, I wish these colleagues well. I know they will find greater success and happiness post-layoff.
Pass me the Kleenex.
Mesa thinks mesa gonna cry. I'd like to sing a little song before you go :
This is the end...
Beautiful friend
My only friend the end...
Two great comments, probably the best two I have seen here. My first post since my first visit in February. I survived today but feel empty and sad.
Thank you. I've refused to allow myself to post a reaction to a single comment until yours. It is a sad day and peoples' lives will be impacted in ways that we cannot yet imagine, for better and for worse.
Decision makers were asked to play Solomon... I wouldn't want to do that and have to look into the mirror tomorrow. They are only human. Cut them some slack.
Qualcomm has been my family for many years. Right or wrong, they are now nudging me out of the nest. Perhaps to help me to take flight or to eventually retire the nest, but for whatever the reason - they have done their best under the circumstances to clear the flight path. Of course it hurts my heart to leave, but I leave knowing that Qualcomm is a better company for my having been there and I wish all success for those who remain to carry on the foundations that we have lain. Best of luck to all of you. God bless!!