As tech layoffs continue, displaced tech workers increasingly consider moving to military defense projects, according to a new survey.
Key Details
- A recent Morning Consult survey found that tech workers set adrift by the continuing tech layoffs are more likely to consider working on military projects, Axios reports.
- Around 34% of workers surveyed say that a mix of global uncertainty and the available opportunities in the military increased their interest in working on defense projects.
- Of the workers interested in working for the military, 38% say the idea was appealing due to the nature of military projects. Around 33% were considering defense work because of “financial considerations.
- Just under half say they would feel comfortable with their work being used in combat.
- Military opportunities have an added layer of job security for tech workers.
- The increased interest in defense work is a positive for the Pentagon and defense contractors, giving them access to top-tier talent.
Why it’s news
The defense sector typically has difficulty competing with Silicon Valley when hiring tech workers. The Pentagon and military contractors usually cannot compete with high salaries and appealing benefits at many Silicon Valley jobs. But with more tech layoffs this year, tech workers are more likely to value job security over other perks.
In the last few years, the tech industry has hesitated to work with the military. In 2018, tech workers at Google resigned in protest after learning that their work was used in military projects. Since then, the tech sector has been cautious regarding defense projects, Axios reports.
But now, around 138,000 tech workers have been laid off in 2023 alone, making tech workers less picky about what projects they work on. Before layoffs began, tech companies started working with the Pentagon again as tensions between the U.S., China, and Russia rose.
Even with increased interest in military opportunities, many tech workers still think that the tech sector will provide them with better salaries and opportunities, according to the survey.