Big Tech’s Brutal Reality Check: Why Entry-Level Engineers Are Being Shut Out

✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | July 2, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.

Big Tech’s hiring freeze is here, and it’s not just a phase. If you’re a recent grad or junior developer desperately hitting "apply" on hundreds of jobs with no luck, you’re not alone. Entry-level software engineering roles have become a vanishing breed. And in 2023, big tech companies all but slammed the door shut on them.

In the video “Big Tech Doesn't Want You Bro,” the creator breaks down the reality: the hiring sprees of 2021-2022 have turned into layoffs and hiring freezes across Silicon Valley. Salesforce, for example, revealed that half its work is now done by AI, reducing the need for human coders. Microsoft? They now rely on AI for nearly 30% of their code, a staggering stat that paints a grim picture for aspiring developers.

It’s not just about automation. The Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes have made borrowing expensive, halting company expansions. Combine that with an overhyped growth forecast post-COVID, and you get a bloated tech sector now in full retreat.

Even top-tier grads from schools like Berkeley are graduating without offers. A once rock-solid path, a CS degree, an internship, six-figure job are now uncertain. One professor said it best: “Tech jobs are drying up, and they’re not coming back soon.”

But all is not lost. The future may lie outside big tech. Startups, non-tech companies with tech needs, and solo ventures are fertile ground. While they might not offer FAANG salaries, they offer something far more valuable right now: a job.

One powerful message from the video: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If mass applications aren’t working, it’s time to pivot, sharpen your skills, build a personal brand, and consider creating your own product.

This market may be tough, but resilience and adaptability are the new must-haves. The companies might be slowing down, but you don’t have to.

Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour
▶️ YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@DebbieBalfour

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