I was laid off from my product management job at Microsoft at 25. It may have been the best thing for me.
When I look at my big passions — tech, music, and visual arts — all of them come down to invention.
I studied computer science and visual media at Duke. I always wanted to get into tech. When I learned about the role of a product manager, I thought, "This is really cool. This is directly aligned with what I would do if I went into the corporate world."
I applied and was accepted to Microsoft as a product manager intern during my junior year. I got a return offer from the internship for a hybrid role in Seattle in 2022.
When I got the role, I was really excited. My team was working with Security Copilot, which is basically a space where you can look at your entire security ecosystem in one place. I sometimes like to think of it as the ChatGPT of security within Microsoft.
I was ready to take it on and learn as much as I could.
The work started out very rewarding
When I joined full time, we hadn't even gotten the product to general availability (GA), when all Microsoft customers can use the product.
My team moved and worked like a startup — the team was newer, so we were still establishing a workflow. We had to move with speed, but we had the requirements of Big Tech, so we didn't have as much leeway for mistakes.
It was very fast-paced, and my work had an impact. It was great. I was at the forefront of the AI movement.
As my responsibilities picked up, things became very stressful
I worked long hours. When we were about to launch GA last spring, there was a point where I had 6 or 6:30 a.m. meetings with international teams. As a new PM, I didn't know how to set boundaries for a while, and that included taking meetings at earlier times than I needed to.
It was intense but rewarding — until it wasn't. The stress came on slowly and all at once due to the increased pressures of AI requirements and wanting to stay at the forefront of our space.
We continued to pick up more while also wanting to maintain the same level of integrity. I was a high performer, and I thought as long as I was doing my work, I was good.
I was laid off on May 13. I didn't expect it at all.
I got on a call with my manager, who delivered the news and told me they were sorry. When I heard this, part of me was happy — I had been so sick that week. I needed to go back to bed.
Then it hit me. I was shocked. I thought, "Did I really just get laid off? Me? After the work I put in?" I was working in AI and security — I thought I had the most job security on the planet.
For the following days, I rested. If I wanted to make the most out of my time, I needed to be healthy again, and I wasn't healthy. I was ignoring my basic necessities. Maybe this was the world saying, "Take a break, rest. Figure out your life a little bit."
I never saw Big Tech as the be-all, end-all
This layoff has been quite the experience. I've been taking it in stride, but I've also realized how much it has affected me. I'm far more stressed than I thought I'd be.
I made a post on LinkedIn about getting laid off, and it went viral. I've gotten a crazy amount of support from people. I've received a lot of advice from people who've experienced layoffs, both within and outside Microsoft. They told me it was not my fault.
It also made me realize that layoffs are far more common than I thought, and a lot of people that I admire have actually gone through some type of layoff in their career. Sometimes, layoffs are the best thing that can happen to you.
I'm responsible right now for myself and myself only
A layoff forces you to take life on. I don't have children, I'm not married, and I don't own a house, so I could just get up and go anywhere and restart my life if I wanted to.
I'm only two years into the real world. There's plenty of time to pivot, especially given that I was feeling very stressed and not necessarily fulfilled at Microsoft anymore.
I'd always envisioned myself pursuing my passions. This is a moment for me to do that.
With music, I have a talent here
Music is fueling me. I'm doing pretty well for someone who worked a 9-to-5. If I put a lot of eggs in this basket, I could make this a career.
I'm not actively applying for jobs right now. That doesn't mean I wouldn't go back to corporate, but now I'm opening my life up to other things. I could look at startups that are more aligned with what I like to do.
The blueprint for stability and success is changing nowadays, so I'm creating my own blueprint now. This feels like a plot twist, and plot twists are very exciting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
13 minutes ago
- CNN
This could be the most consequential week for the economy in years
The state of President Donald Trump's economy is about to come into full view. A slew of crucial economic data is set for release this week, including the jobs report, inflation, consumer confidence and corporate earnings. We'll get the first glimpse at America's second-quarter gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the economy. And, most crucially, the Federal Reserve will decide whether to cut rates or hold steady one more time. As if that weren't enough, Trump's trade polices also come due: Friday is the administration's self-imposed deadline for settling tariff rates for all 200+ US trading partners. Trump's top economic advisers will be negotiating a trade framework with China in Sweden. And an appeals court will hear arguments this week about whether the bulk of Trump's tariffs are even legal, to begin with. Altogether, the data could paint a picture of an economy that is resilient — but slowing under the weight of Trump's dizzying tariff changes, reductions in government workers and spending, and an aggressive deportation of foreign-born workers. Here's a look at what to expect this week and why the data matters: Some of the biggest names in tech are set to release earnings this week, including Microsoft, Meta, Amazon and Apple. That will set the tone for market sentiment. Tech stocks have fueled record market growth in recent months as investors focus on gearing up for AI expansion. So far, around 80% of S&P 500 companies reporting earnings this season have beaten estimates, according to FactSet. Overall, stocks have marched higher into record territory recently, supported by cautious optimism in trade deals and better-than-expected economic data. That has emboldened Trump to push harder on his trade deals, telling NBC News earlier this month that markets hit new highs because 'tariffs have been very well received.' Why it matters: Strong earnings could continue to boost the stock market, which is starting to look a bit expensive for some investors. That could also convince Trump that the market — which turned on him in April — has acquiesced to his plan for higher tariffs. Two separate reads on the way Americans are feeling about the economy are set to be released this week. Consumer confidence, as measured by Conference Board, sank to the lowest level since the pandemic when Trump slapped massive tariffs on major trading partners. Shoppers expressed concern about the negative impact on the economy and prices. But consumers are generally more optimistic now that trade deals are beginning to emerge. The consumer sentiment survey from the University of Michigan continues to show that shoppers are wary of inflation levels rising again, after the economy batted down historic price increases following the pandemic. Although sentiment has rallied back from near-record lows earlier this year, it remains depressed because of Trump's trade policy. Why it matters: Economists pay close attention to consumers' optimism, since their spending powers two-thirds of the economy — and when shoppers think prices are about to rise, they tend to pull back. The latest retail sales data shows that consumers are spending cautiously. GDP is a key indicator of economic success and, arguably, a validation of Trump's policies. But this quarterly assessment has slumped in recent months, even shrinking in the first quarter of the year for the first time since 2022. Economists expect an improvement for the April-June quarter as imports rebalance after companies raced to front-load their purchases ahead of Trump's tariffs. They warn that, just as an inventory spike may have artificially hurt GDP in the first quarter, companies working through their warehoused goods in the second quarter may make the economy look better than it actually is. Why it matters: The US economy is large and resilient, and it has continued to support hundreds of thousands new jobs each month for years. But if Americans are getting cold feet, things could take a turn for the worse. Trump has repeatedly — and publicly — berated Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering the bank's interest rate (their recent détente notwithstanding), but the central bank is overwhelmingly expected to hold rates steady Wednesday at the conclusion of its two-day monetary policy meeting. In an unusual kink, two governors are expected to vote against the consensus of the board, which hasn't happened in three decades. With the job market still relatively strong, most Fed officials have said the economy can withstand higher rates for the time being. Meanwhile, they want to wait to see how Trump's policies of high tariffs and deportation of foreign workers impact inflation and the labor market. Why it matters: The bank is widely expected to start cutting its key overnight lending rate in September — a good sign for Americans hoping to borrow money, and especially for first-time homebuyers, who have been effectively locked out of the market with mortgage rates close to 7%. The Fed's favorite inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, has been creeping higher — moving further away from its 2% goal in recent months. That's just one factor behind the central bank's position on rate cuts. Why it matters: Shoppers have been pulling forward purchases, including back-to-school items, to mitigate expected higher prices, but the July data will likely still bear the fingerprints of Trump's tumultuous trade policy: Items like furniture and toys are starting to reflect elevated costs as pre-tariff inventory is depleted. Trump's pause on the hefty and unpopular tariffs he rolled out in April expires on August 1. In the intervening period, the White House has scrambled to make deals with a slew of partners, announcing preliminary arrangements with the UK, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. As the final deadline approaches, Trump said Friday he would be sending out letters to roughly 200 countries this week unilaterally setting a range of tariff rates. 'It's basically going to say, you're going to pay 10%, you're going to pay 15%, you're going to pay maybe less, I don't know,' Trump told reporters before he left for a trip to Scotland. US markets are 'very, very fixated' on the levels that are set, and an effective tariff rate beyond 20% on major trading partners could trigger a downturn on Wall Street, one analyst told CNN. Why it matters: Trump's tariffs that are currently in effect have raised the effective US tariff rate — the average tax that US importers pay on foreign goods — from around 2% to 18%, the highest since 1934, economists at Yale's Budget Lab said in a recent report. That works out to $2,400 a year in added costs for the average American household. The US economy and markets have been able to withstand that so far. A considerably higher tariff rate could put that to the test. Talks with China are ongoing, however. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to meet Monday and Tuesday with Chinese officials to iron out the details of the framework the two countries agreed upon at their London and Geneva meetings. Trump in April slapped a 145% tariff on imports from China, prompting Beijing to respond with a 125% tariff on imports from the United States. That effectively created a total embargo between the world's two largest economies before they agreed on a pause until August 12. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the US Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments about whether Trump can use his emergency powers to levy tariffs after a lower court ruled he had exceeded his authority in doing so. Why it matters: One of the Trump administration's goals is to shift China towards a more consumer-driven domestic economy, thereby reducing global oversupply of its manufactured goods. While it's unlikely that the United States will dramatically reshape Chinese President Xi Jinping's economic policy, small changes could open some of China's market to US manufacturers, while helping to increase American factory jobs. Trump has promised a 'Made in America' revival, but the July jobs report is expected to show that average monthly employment gains have dropped to a level not seen since 2010 (excluding the pandemic-era losses). The labor force has shrunk in recent months, a potential indication of how anti-immigrant rhetoric and mass deportations are weighing on employment. In addition, the most recent report showed that the manufacturing sector lost jobs for the second-straight month — a murky development for one of Trump's benchmark economic priorities. Why it matters: America's labor market has been its strong suit for years, routinely defying expectations since the pandemic. But it's showing cracks. Americans who lose their job are now staying unemployed for longer as businesses stall on making decisions, including hiring, as the trade war continues to raise costs.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft's (MSFT) Cloud and AI Strategy Could Deliver Big Q4 Upside
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the On July 23, UBS analyst Karl Keirstead adjusted the price target for the stock from $500 to $600 while maintaining a 'Buy' recommendation. The rating affirmation comes ahead of Microsoft's upcoming fiscal fourth-quarter report due next week. According to the firm, there are two factors driving company shares on the earnings reports, namely Azure growth and earnings revisions, which look positive. Microsoft enterprise customers seem satisfied as opposed to earlier in the year. It believes Azure cloud service growth has the potential to exceed the high end of Microsoft's guidance range of 35%. Meanwhile, recent headcount reductions may positively impact the fiscal year 2026 margin outlook. A computer engineer discussing the company's Unified Cloud Software Solutions with a colleague. The firm believes that investors expect around constant currency Azure growth of 36% for the June quarter, with guidance pointing to a slowdown to 34% in the September quarter. The growth target seems achievable due to improving sentiment from enterprise customers and partners as compared to the February-April period. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) provides AI-powered cloud, productivity, and business solutions, focusing on efficiency, security, and AI advancements. While we acknowledge the potential of MSFT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
Geek Wire
an hour ago
- Geek Wire
Week in Review: Most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of July 20, 2025
Get caught up on the latest technology and startup news from the past week. Here are the most popular stories on GeekWire for the week of July 20, 2025. Sign up to receive these updates every Sunday in your inbox by subscribing to our GeekWire Weekly email newsletter. Most popular stories on GeekWire In new memo, Microsoft CEO addresses 'enigma' of layoffs amid record profits and AI investments Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed the growing internal unease inside the tech giant Thursday morning, laying out the company's priorities and urging employees to maintain its core values, while conceding that its rapid transition for the artificial intelligence era 'might feel messy at times.' In a company-wide memo, Nadella acknowledged what he called the 'uncertainty and seeming incongruence' of Microsoft's situation. … Read More Meet your AI interviewer: Seattle startup Humanly unveils video bot that grills job applicants 'More human than human' is the tagline for the company that produces replicants, the bioengineered humans that run amok in the classic science-fiction film 'Blade Runner.' 'More Humanly than human' could very well be the pitch on a new product from Seattle-based recruiting software startup Humanly, which unveiled its new 'AI interviewers' on Wednesday. … Read More UW researchers discover AI-powered breakthrough that could boost precision cancer treatment A breakthrough in the science used to customize the treatment of cancer and other diseases is so promising that researchers at the University of Washington are planning to launch a company to commercialize the technology. … Read More AI model from Microsoft and UW maps out breast cancer in MRIs with unprecedented accuracy New research shows how AI technology can spot breast cancer in MRI scans more accurately than current digital methods, while also pinpointing exactly where suspicious tissue is located — a breakthrough that could make the sensitive screening tool available to more women. … Read More
