Change is hard. However, what is worse is changing too late and throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I was with 2U for 5+ years from the Trilogy acquisition like many of you reading this.
While hired by Trilogy, I had a decent starting salary. 2 years later my manager at 2U told me. "You're at the top end of the pay band"
That was Red Flag 1 for me. If layoffs were gonna happen, a big target was on my back, just because they don't always layoff the slackers.
They often use a greedy algorithm to meet the new department budget with the least amount of staff to cut. Because more bodies hopefully means less work for everyone.
It is not my first time laid off, but I was hoping to hold onto this remote role with Bootcamps for as long as I could. With it being a 5 plus year ride. I'll take it. No regrets. I probably stayed too long, if we're being honest.
Red Flag 2, acquiring edX for $800m. More web traffic is good, but we got more eyeballs and much much less than predicted conversion. Of course our platform strategy we had our blinders on a leaned in on "Don't let the Skeptic win" which was doubling down on a failing strategy.
Red Flag 3: The writing was on the wall by late 2023. With tech hiring slowing since late October 2023 and more layoffs starting in Jan 2024. If other tech companies aren't hiring/being selective at all levels, naturally the demand for bootcamps will shrink for entry level roles.
Bonus Flag: Consolidating multiple Bootcamp classes into one class with 1 instructor and maybe a TA if the student numbers were hit was also another huge tell tell sign.
I'm not mad, and take this time to reprioritize what's important in your life. Go take that trip to Europe/Asia you always wanted. Change your environment instead of feeling bummed.
I was gonna quit within 24 calendar months anyway, but the work to income ratio was better in this role than most and at least a severance comes this way.
Don't rely on ANY company to take care of you. Period.
Good luck, fellow colleague, if you read this far you made it through multiple layoff rounds and pretty good chance there could be more in 2025.
On the other hand, if there is an uptick in demand don't burn any bridges and watch what you say/post. Enjoy the severance and time with your loved ones.
If you really wanted to be back, firing/layoff only to rehire as a contractor in 3-6 months is a common play from this playbook, IF you really want to go back that badly. It will be in a different form
No one has a crystal ball. Keep your nose clean and I'm sure you'll end up in a better place than you thought.
It hurts now, but keep your head up. YOU DESERVE better and it will get better.