The Collapse of the IT "Golden Era." Why a Diploma No Longer Guarantees a Job and What to Do to Avoid Being Left Behind.
The market for tech professions is shrinking at an alarming rate.
The market for tech professions is shrinking at an alarming rate.
The labor market in information technology is experiencing alarming trends. More and more computer science graduates are facing a situation where they cannot find a job even for minimal pay.
Just a few years ago, a diploma in computer science was considered a ticket to a high-paying career with prospects for rapid growth. But mass layoffs at the largest tech companies, coupled with the introduction of new tools that bypass the need for deep technical knowledge, have drastically changed the rules of the game.
The stories of young specialists sound demoralizing. One graduate of the University of Oregon shared that over two years, he sent out about six thousand resumes and went through thirteen interviews, yet never received a single offer. Moreover, even a fast-food chain rejected his application due to a lack of "relevant experience."
According to the Layoffs.fyi service, last year alone, over 150,000 people lost their jobs in the tech sector. In 2025, tens of thousands of layoffs continue.
Against this backdrop, many students and young professionals are beginning to doubt whether their career choice was justified. According to surveys, a third of graduates believe their education was a waste of money, and half of Gen Z representatives regret their chosen field of study.
Nevertheless, experts note that the demand for specialists will not disappear completely. In the coming years, experts in cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and data analysis will be in demand. At the same time, the market is increasingly valuing not just a diploma, but also real skills confirmed by courses, internships, and practical projects.
While graduates wonder if the era of six-figure salaries in IT is over, the labor market is restructuring—and the new rules require much greater flexibility and a readiness for lifelong learning from specialists.
