A recent layoff from a software engineering position prompted 38-year-old Tabby Toney to make a significant career change, moving from the tech sector to welding in Oklahoma. Toney shared this experience in an as-told-to essay with Business Insider, detailing the shift that has brought unexpected contentment.

The Catalyst: Layoffs and Tech Industry Disillusionment

Toney expressed initial anger toward the technology industry following the layoff in May. The appeal of tech—intellectual stimulation and creative problem-solving—felt threatened by the industry's rapid reshaping due to AI advancements.

Deciding to take a month off before seeking new employment, Toney borrowed family welding equipment. This led to a surprising rediscovery of welding, a skill practiced by her grandfather and father.

Finding Stability Outside of Tech

Despite initial reluctance to restart in a new field, the persistent wave of tech layoffs made the industry feel inherently unstable. Toney is now a full-time welder, noting that the constant fear regarding job security has vanished, which she describes as the most peaceful aspect of the transition.

The Pivot to a Trade Career

Once the decision to switch careers was made, Toney began taking on small welding side projects for acquaintances. Simultaneously, she started researching and applying to various welding courses.

Navigating Welding Education

Admission requirements varied across trade programs; some were first-come, first-served, while others, including the school Toney attended, required an essay detailing the motivation for pursuing welding.

In August, Toney secured a spot in a fast-tracked adult welding program. This intensive course required 40 hours per week for five months, designed to rapidly prepare students for the workforce. For comparison, the standard program at the same school spanned two years.

The financial commitment was manageable. The program cost approximately $3,000 initially, but scholarships and donations designated for non-traditional students significantly reduced Toney's out-of-pocket expense.

Securing Employment and New Work Realities

Toney's school actively partnered with local companies to facilitate job market readiness, sometimes leading to direct hiring from the program. Students participated in mock interviews and engaged with company representatives to understand the work environment.

After meeting with her current employer during the course, Toney underwent their formal interview process and received an offer. She completed her program in mid-December and began her new role the first week of January, surprised by the swift transition.

The Day-to-Day of Utility Pole Welding

Toney's current job involves attaching components, such as ladder clips, to utility poles. Her schedule is structured around 12-hour shifts, worked three days a week, granting four consecutive days off.

Each shift begins with blueprints and an assigned pole, with work continuing until completion. Tasks can range from a single day to multiple days if a pole requires over 100 attachments.

Toney admitted there was a steep learning curve, but she genuinely enjoys the work, finding that the days pass quickly. She highlighted the helpfulness of the senior welders. The main drawback is the lack of climate control in the shop, making extreme cold or heat difficult.

Financial Considerations and Peace of Mind

Toney resides in Oklahoma City, benefiting from a lower cost of living. Her previous remote software engineering salary was $130,000 annually, noting that local tech salaries often fall below that mark.

Welding positions are typically hourly; Toney currently earns $25 per hour, equating to a starting salary around $52,000. She mitigated the pay reduction by aggressively paying down debts while earning her six-figure tech salary, anticipating the industry's trajectory.

The period of unemployment and schooling, supported by severance pay, softened the financial impact of the career change. Toney emphasized that the anxiety of potential layoffs, which plagued her in every tech role, has been eliminated.

She noted the current instability, mentioning colleagues with over two decades of experience who are now jobless. Her husband, also a software engineer, has been unemployed since January. Toney feels fortunate that her new role offers visible productivity, stating, "I can physically see how much work we have coming in."