Automation results in mass IT layoffs but creates numerous DevOps jobs
I believe that you are aware of the mass IT layoffs happening in project-based companies. If you are worried about the mass IT layoffs, this blog post is for you. Of course, people are in fear, panic, and depression after the layoff announcement from the CEO of their respective companies. This blog intends to provide knowledge about mass IT layoffs and direct you toward the next level in your work life.
Before proceeding, I do have a request for you. Please don't watch any videos related to these mass IT layoffs on the internet. It's all one-sided evaluations, and some of the information is incorrect. So, please do hold your nerves.
Is cost-cutting the only reason for mass IT layoffs?
NO. Everybody believes mass IT layoffs are planned only to cut down the company's operational costs, but that is not the fact. Though there are many other reasons, let me expose to you one serious issue.
Usually, the employee headcount of many project-based IT companies is in lakhs and lakhs, which is humongous compared to other industries or sectors. I'm not going to say this is the problem for mass IT layoffs. But, I have questions for you before exposing the problem.
Do you know Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $16 billion in 2014? I believe most of you are aware of this. There is one interesting fact which many of you don't know. WhatsApp had only 55 employees during the time of its acquisition. You can surf the internet to get more information about this matter.
How can a company of only 55 employees close such a big deal with Facebook? Have you ever thought about this? If not before, think of it now. What does it prove? A successful company doesn't require a large number of employees. It requires talented people and a strong culture. That is why they are way ahead of our current IT/software sector.
I hope you know that cost-cutting is not the only reason for the mass IT layoffs. Also, it is not the right time to blame IT/software companies. Here, I'm trying my best to make you understand the problem other than just blaming the company.
The IT/software sector failed to build people with diversified skills
The problem with today's IT/software industry is the work culture. A company cannot produce employees with diverse capabilities unless it has a great work culture.
I've met numerous people in my life who work for project-based software companies. Most of them told me they have been performing the same work for years. Some said that they only do small tiny work as an everyday task. Some said that they receive a salary without doing anything at all. They told me that they need to impress superiors to earn an appraisal. I've seen that some people are more interested in a higher income package than improving their skills. All facts have disappointed and shocked me, as I had only worked with product-based startups.
During these mass IT layoffs, those employees are clueless because they lack diversified skills. For them, getting another job is a big battle, and only a few succeed. Some people make horrible decisions due to depression, stress, and social pressure.
As a startup, we want software companies and employees to create a lively work culture that generates individuals with diverse abilities. So that if someone loses a job, the employee may always find work in another company.
What will be the outcome of the current mass IT layoffs?
The tech industry is well-prepared for the mass IT layoffs as per their plan, whether you like or don't like it. First, you must know the outcome of these mass IT layoffs to find what to do.
- Somehow, project-based IT/software companies learned that a successful company doesn't require a large number of employees. I'm sure they had watched how product-based startups prospered over a couple of decades with a very little employee headcount.
- Almost all project-based IT/software companies are trying to seek people with diversified skills. They don't want to pay for a person who can do only one thing for years. You must be sure that they are planning to build people with diversified skills so that one person can do the work of 10 people. As a result, the company's profit margins may improve.
- Whether you believe it or not, I've seen many project-based IT/software companies trying to adopt Open Source technologies in the last couple of years. They are no longer ready to pay enterprise software vendors, so they are moving to Open Source technologies. And also they can save a lot of money by doing this.
I hope you understand what I'm trying to prove here. So, what's the one-word answer for the outcome of mass IT layoffs? Adoption of DevOps methods, to be exact.
Implementing DevOps practices is the only way for the project-based IT/software companies to rejuvenate themselves and stay ahead of their competitors. Please check out the below posts and videos to know more about DevOps work culture.
- What is DevOps?
- How to get a job as DevOps engineer?
- Real definition of DevOps
- DevOps vs Traditional SDLC
- App-Centric DevOps vs Tool-Centric DevOps
- Implementing DevOps
- What problems DevOps solves?
- Becoming DevOps professional
Will the IT/software industry shift towards DevOps practices?
Yes, it will shift towards implementing DevOps practices because it is the only way to build people with diversified skills. Let me prove to you how much the demand for DevOps jobs has increased.
According to Google Trends 700% increase in traffic for DevOps topic/keywords in Google Search in the last decade. For the last couple of years, the project-based IT/software industry generating massive search traffic for the DevOps keyword on the internet. The data points also convey to us another fact that the mass IT layoffs are directly proportional to the DevOps job market. If the DevOps job market increases, it increases the number of mass IT layoffs. I've just shown you the fact from data points. Now, it's time for you to do something.
SloopStash wants to support you
We at SloopStash are always eager to assist you in improving your skills. We've acquired a lot of DevOps and AWS knowledge from product startup firms over the last decade. We share DevOps and AWS skills through our training programs as a product-based company. If you want to know more about the training, please check How SloopStash shares DevOps and AWS experience blog. Thank you.