From Big Tech Layoff to Dream Startup: Sarah's Story

When Sarah got the calendar invite from HR at her big tech company, she knew what was coming. After eight years, her entire department was being eliminated in a "restructuring."

The Shock

"I'd given so much to that company," Sarah recalls. "I'd postponed vacations, missed family events, worked weekends. When they walked me out with a box of my things, I felt like I'd lost part of my identity."

For the first two weeks, Sarah barely left her apartment. She alternated between doom-scrolling LinkedIn, seeing other layoff announcements, and questioning every career decision she'd ever made.

The Turning Point

"My breaking point came when I realized I was just refreshing job boards all day but not actually applying to anything," Sarah says. "I was paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice."

A friend suggested she take a step back and think about what she actually wanted—not what she thought she should want.

"For the first time in years, I asked myself: Am I happy? Do I want to go back to another big tech company and do the same thing?"

The answer was no.

Taking a Chance

Through her network, Sarah connected with the founder of a small healthcare technology startup. The company was building software to help patients manage chronic conditions—a cause Sarah cared about after watching her mother struggle with diabetes management.

The catch? The role paid 30% less than her previous salary, came with startup risk, and the company only had 15 employees.

"Every practical voice in my head said this was crazy," Sarah admits. "But something felt right about it."

The Reality of Startup Life

The transition wasn't easy. Sarah went from having a team of 12 to being a team of one. She had to learn new skills, wear multiple hats, and adjust to the uncertainty of startup life.

"There were moments I questioned my decision," she says. "Especially when former colleagues were posting about their new roles at other big companies."

But something was different. For the first time in years, Sarah felt genuinely excited about her work. She could see the direct impact of her decisions. Users sent thank-you emails about how the product helped them manage their health.

Where She Is Now

Two years later, Sarah is now Head of Product at the startup, which has grown to 50 employees and recently closed a Series B funding round.

"I make about what I made before the layoff now," she says. "But more importantly, I wake up excited to work. I have equity in a company I believe in. I work with people who share my values."

Her Advice for Others

1. Use the time to reflect "Don't rush into the first opportunity that looks like your old job. This might be your chance to make a change you've been afraid to make."

2. The 'safe' choice isn't always safe "Big companies lay people off too. There's no guaranteed security anywhere. So you might as well do something meaningful."

3. Your network is everything "The startup opportunity came through a former colleague. Stay connected to people, and be genuinely helpful to them—not just when you need something."

4. Trust the discomfort "Growth happens outside your comfort zone. If an opportunity scares you a little but also excites you, that might be the right sign."

The Unexpected Gift

Looking back, Sarah sees her layoff as a gift—though she couldn't have seen it at the time.

"That layoff forced me to confront questions I'd been avoiding for years. It hurt, but it also freed me. I found work I actually care about, colleagues who inspire me, and a sense of purpose I didn't have before."

"If you're going through this right now, I know it doesn't feel like it, but this could be the beginning of something better."

Names and some details have been changed to protect privacy.

Related Resources:

• Career Pivot Guide →
• Starting a Business →
• Tech Layoffs Guide →