Not Working in Tech

Ep.7: What therapists know about burnout

Josh Jonas, Clinical Director at the Village Institute for Psychotherapy, and podcast host of Punk Rock Therapy, discusses the pervasive issue of burnout in the tech industry. He works with high-performing clients who have extensively communicated the cultural pressure to be busy as a measure of worth, noting an increase in workplace issues due to constant optimization and the impact of COVID-19. Josh emphasizes that burnout often stems from self-imposed hyper-productivity and the need for external validation. He suggests that therapy can help individuals recognize and address these deep-seated beliefs. Jonas also advocates for self-care practices and the importance of finding value outside of work.

Ep.6: A designer and storyteller’s journey through, and out of tech

Tara Kelly, a former UX designer and startup founder, discusses her journey from Italy to Silicon Valley, her burnout experiences, and her transition to writing children's books. She highlights her early career in Italy, where she worked on a 911 call center redesign, and her subsequent move to the US. Tara shares her challenges as a single parent and founder, including the sale of her company and the subsequent burnout she faced. She emphasizes the importance of systems, storytelling, and maintaining relationships post-tech. Tara's story underscores the need for a sustainable work-life balance and the value of proactive career management.

Ep.5: Leading from within

David, a former Vice President at AT&T, shared his journey from humble beginnings in Dallas to leading a billion-dollar program. Raised by a hardworking single mother, David's early experiences instilled a strong work ethic. He joined AT&T without aspirations for the corporate ladder but eventually transitioned to management due to a lack of seniority for technician roles. David emphasized the importance of mentorship, resilience, and positive leadership. He highlighted his innovative strategies during the pandemic, such as banning emails and encouraging team collaboration. Post-AT&T, David continues to mentor youth in STEM and runs a podcast facility leveraging AI.

Ep.4: What tech employees should know about their finances — during their tech careers and beyond

Suhas Joshi, a former engineer and engineering manager at companies like Stripe, Facebook, and Microsoft, shared his career journey and transition from tech to financial advising. He discussed his initial success at Microsoft, his move to Facebook, and the cultural changes and challenges at Stripe, particularly during the pandemic. Suhas emphasized the importance of work-life balance, financial independence, and the need for tech professionals to consider career breaks and job changes to avoid burnout. He highlighted the common financial pitfalls in tech, such as concentration risk and misperception of financial needs, and advised early-career professionals to focus on growth and long-term career sustainability.

Ep.3: A woman at the table

Jane, a former Meta employee, shares her experience of gender discrimination, fear-based management techniques, and the legal battle that ensued. Jane is pushing for meaningful change in the tech industry, and hoping to help others who face similar issues, as a cautionary tale and advocate.