Meta Layoff Pushes Young Data Scientist to Rethink Big Tech Career Path

A 24-year-old former Meta data scientist is rethinking her future after being laid off less than a year into her role, in a story that reflects the growing uncertainty facing young professionals in the technology industry as artificial intelligence reshapes traditional jobs. Moyan Chen, who was working in New York City, said she initially believed a position at a major company like Meta would offer stability, growth and a clear career path, but her layoff in May 2026 changed that belief and made her question whether Big Tech is still the safest option for early-career employees. According to her account, the weeks before the layoff were filled with anxiety as rumours spread inside the company, but when the decision finally became official, she felt a surprising sense of relief because the uncertainty had ended. Chen believes her role was affected by the growing use of AI tools that can now handle several tasks once commonly done by data scientists, including writing code, building visualisations and analysing information more quickly. Instead of rushing back into another corporate role, she is now exploring different career directions, including content creation, career coaching and possibly joining an AI startup that better matches her values and long-term goals. Her experience comes at a time when Meta has been cutting thousands of roles while investing heavily in artificial intelligence, making many tech workers question whether prestigious company names still guarantee job security. For Chen, the layoff has become more than a professional setback; it has become a moment of personal reflection about work, identity and the kind of life she wants to build. Her story highlights a larger shift in the tech world, where young employees are no longer only chasing big salaries and famous company badges, but are also asking whether their skills, lifestyle and career choices can survive in an AI-driven future.