A technical specialist from the USA, who has been looking for a job for over a year, decided to start a career as a school bus driver. He noted that he felt disappointed while searching for work in the technology industry. Despite the lower salary, he is satisfied with his new position.
James Strong, who lives in the Colorado Springs area of the USA, shared his story on LinkedIn. James said that after more than a year of job searching, he decided to change the direction of his career.
James has extensive experience in the technology sector. He worked as a Senior Software Quality Engineer at Adobe from April 2000 to August 2025. Before that, he also worked at companies such as Accolade.
James described the past year of job searching as a very difficult period. According to him, he faced discrimination and a sense of hopelessness in the technology industry. Ultimately, he decided to take a bus driver job in the local school district, viewing it as a new, possibly final chapter of his career.
Although the new job pays significantly less than his previous one, James is happy with the transition. He described his future colleagues as kind, responsive, and down-to-earth. James also expressed dissatisfaction with some people from his previous job, noting that some ignored him, undermined his confidence, and eventually fired him.
Nevertheless, James feels somewhat grateful to these people because they showed him the path to a better future. He added that now, instead of a computer, he will be driving a 40-foot bus.
James criticized the company and recruiters who, in his opinion, rejected his applications without properly reviewing them. He also mentioned that some firms did not respond to his direct messages, while others did not even schedule interviews. James expressed hope that the technology industry will behave more appropriately towards job seekers in the future.
Many users reacted to James's post by sharing their own experiences. One user stated that driving a school bus is just as important a job as working at a major tech company. He emphasized that James can influence someone's life in ways they could not have imagined.
Another person reported that after being unable to find a job, he worked for Amazon Flex for about $20 an hour. He said that he sent thousands of applications and went through hundreds of interviews over the last three years but still didn't get a job.
Some people expressed concern that if high-paying tech jobs continue to shrink, it will create difficulties for those who built their homes and families relying on a six-figure salary.
It became clear from people's reactions to James's story that for many, job searching, despite extensive experience in the tech field, has become a serious problem. Nevertheless, James has changed his course and is now starting a new phase of his career by driving a school bus.