You don’t have to navigate big or unwelcome transitions alone.
It’s tough to be in tech, especially right now. More than half of tech workers report experiencing work-related stress or tech burnout, according to a 2026 survey by ISACA, a global professional association. Tech workers have to contend with relentless pressure to innovate, the constant threat of job cuts, uncertainty about AI, and an always-on culture. It’s no wonder that 65% of the tech professionals ISACA surveyed said they would consider changing jobs in the next two years.
Even the most successful tech careers contain these uncertain moments when people need to decide: should I stay in this role or make a move? Not Working in Tech provides personalized support to help tech workers successfully manage crisis moments, and emerge happier and healthier. Here are 7 career moments when you can benefit from the support of a tech career coach.
1. Navigating a “Reorg”
Anyone who has worked in the corporate world for more than a minute is familiar with the concept of a company reorganization, aka a “reorg”. When management makes changes to “improve efficiency” it’s workers who pay the price. The stress and uncertainty of a reorg can create toxic workplace dynamics that harm employees’ mental health. With the tech industry (and every industry, really), trying to redesign work to incorporate AI, there are sure to be more reorgs to come.
2. Figuring out How to Heal from Burnout
If you feel extreme fatigue, irritability, and apathy, you may be suffering from burnout. This can be an alarming revelation for anyone, but particularly for tech workers. We tend to be overachievers, and many of us make work a significant part of our identity. But burnout is so widespread in our industry, and it makes it impossible to do your best — both at work and at home. With help, burnout recovery is possible.
3. Coping When You’re In Over Your Head
You got the job you fought for, but now you feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew — and your boss agrees. You’re Googling “what is a PIP?” as you worry about what will happen if you get fired. Knowing you’re not performing at your best is stressful, and it can happen to anyone – even people who’ve been high achievers for their entire careers. A tech career coach can help you develop an action plan for moving forward.
4. Navigating Work-Life Balance — Especially for Moms in Tech
Working in tech often means putting in long hours, which depletes your energy for life beyond work. Remote work was supposed to help with work-life balance, but it also blurred the lines between work and everything else. For women in particular, the struggle to manage it all can lead to working mom burnout. According to a Fullstack Academy study, only 40% of the big tech companies frequently reviewed on Glassdoor have employees who report a good or very good work-life balance. A healthy work-life balance should be the norm, and until it is, a tech career coach will support you in asking your employer for exactly what you need to get there.
5. Taking a Mental Health Leave of Absence
Sometimes the best way to address burnout in tech is to take a mental health leave of absence. But tech workers hesitate to take this option, even though many are entitled to up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid leave each year for health conditions, including mental health issues. We get it: taking that leap is hard, and who knows what people will say about us if we do. But it’s up to us to decide that taking our leave is more important than what others may think. Sometimes the best thing we can do to support our future career growth is, ironically, to take time off. This way, we can ensure we’re ready for the next amazing opportunity when it arises
6. Recovering from Job Loss
Job loss due to layoffs is a real fear for tech workers, particularly right now. In 2026, the technology field accounted for 29% of layoffs through September 30, more than any other industry. Few things in life are more stressful than losing your job, so it makes sense to seek extra support while going through that. A tech career coach can help you navigate this rocky transition.
7. Dealing with a Toxic Workplace
Working in tech under normal circumstances is stressful enough. But toxic workplaces can make an already challenging job unbearable. So many of us have experienced coworkers and managers who play politics, leadership that pits colleagues against one another, or any number of other unhealthy culture dynamics. When your workplace is not supportive, you need someone who is.
Learn More about Tech Career Coaching
These are just some examples of why you may feel scared, anxious, or nervous about work. You don’t have to wait for something as big as burnout or a layoff to seek help. At Not Working in Tech, we provide 1:1 coaching for work-life balance, performance management, taking or returning from leave, surviving a toxic work environment, managing a work crisis, and other challenges tech workers are constantly navigating.
Maybe you want to stay in tech, but first you need to recover from burnout. Or maybe you're ready to explore a new path altogether. Wherever your journey takes you, there’s no need to go it alone. Learn more about how a tech career coach can help you turn these unwelcome career moments into opportunities.
