New York Programmer Earned $150,000 but Now Drops Deliveries for DoorDash, Resides in a Trailer
The Fall from Grace: From New York Tech Job to Delivery Driver in a Trailer
Long-time tech-industry resident Shawn K once lived a cushioned life in New York as a software engineer, earning $150,000 annually. However, that dream came to a screeching halt in 2024 when he was dismissed from his software engineering post and struggled to secure employment. Currently residing in a trailer in a remote region, he now works as a DoorDash delivery driver, selling used items online to make ends meet.
In April 2024, Shawn received a termination letter from his employer, a tech company focused on metaverse development, which let go all employees in his sector. According to Fortune, this wasn't the first employment setback for Shawn, as he had been let go before during the 2008 economic downturn and the pandemic. Yet, this time he couldn't find alternative employment.
Shawn attributes the rise of artificial intelligence in the tech industry as the primary factor for his struggles. With over twenty years of experience and a degree in computer science, he found himself unable to secure new employment, despite sending out around 800 job applications and securing only ten interviews. Many of these interviews were comprised of AI-powered agents instead of human counterparts, leading Shawn to feel like an invisible entity.
Today, Shawn works as a delivery driver for DoorDash, spending his days in his car delivering food orders. He earns approximately $200 per day but finds it insufficient to sustain his living expenses. Consequently, he supplements his income by selling unwanted items online.
As his job search grinds on, Shawn considers alternative paths such as returning to school or obtaining his truck driver's license. Nonetheless, he lacks the funds for these pursuits.
The AI-Driven Great Displacement in the Tech Industry
Despite his bleak situation, Shawn refuses to lose faith that he will find another tech job. He keeps his spirits up by staying abreast of industry developments through courses, online content, and applying to roles that correspond with his skill set, even if they are lower-level positions.
Shawn shares his sentiments about the future of the tech industry, stating that "The Great Displacement has already begun." In his newsletter on Substack, he warned of a complex scenario facing the industry.
While there is no specific case study on Shawn K within the context of AI's impact on the tech industry job market, current trends and expert commentary can provide useful insights to construct a hypothetical or illustrative case study.
The swift evolution of AI in the tech industry is creating a paradigm shift, particularly impacting entry-level and mid-level roles. Routine and repetitive tasks, such as basic coding, debugging, data analysis, and document drafting, are now being automated, reducing demand for these positions. Up to half of entry-level white-collar jobs are at risk of being eliminated within the next one to five years, according to industry leaders, potentially causing unemployment rates to surge to 10-20%.
The decline in entry-level opportunities is especially problematic for new graduates and early-career professionals, who historically relied on these positions as stepping stones for advancement. The shift in the job market is accelerating, forcing young professionals to mature faster and rapidly upskill to remain competitive.
AI is not just eliminating jobs but reshaping them as well. While routine and repetitive tasks are being automated, companies are emphasizing complex problem-solving, creative work, and roles requiring adaptability. McKinsey estimates that up to 30% of work hours in the U.S. and Europe could be automated by 2030, but this will also create new opportunities, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, software architecture, and specialized IT roles.
New entrants into the tech industry, like Shawn K, must adapt to the rapid changes brought about by AI. They must upskill to secure advanced roles earlier in their careers while embracing new technologies to succeed in a dynamic landscape.
In the wake of Shawn's personal finance struggles, he turned to selling used items online to supplement his income as a DoorDash delivery driver. The exponential growth of AI in the technology sector, particularly in the finance and personal-finance arena, raised concerns for Shawn as it led to the automation of numerous jobs, creating a challenging environment for new entrants like him.
