From Google's Dream Job to a PhD Classroom: One Engineer's Bold Leap
Joslyn Orgill made a decision that many would call courageous or even reckless. She walked away from a coveted data engineering position at Google's Austin office. This role came with a six-figure salary and the prestige of working for one of the world's top tech giants. In August, she resigned and enrolled in a computer science PhD program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her focus is on education, marking a dramatic shift from corporate tech to academia.
The Allure and Disillusionment of Big Tech
Orgill's journey to Google seemed like a textbook success story. After interning at ExxonMobil and Adobe, she completed an integrated bachelor's and master's degree in information systems from Brigham Young University in 2021. Landing a job at Google was her big break, a dream realized for many aspiring tech professionals. She and her husband owned a home in Austin, enjoying the stability that her high income provided.
Yet, beneath the surface, dissatisfaction grew. Orgill told Business Insider that her contributions often felt "unseen." The role did not align with her long-term aspirations. She began to question whether this was the right fit for her future. The broader instability in the tech industry only intensified these doubts.
A 'Crazy and Scary' Moment That Changed Everything
Just six months into her job, Google announced plans in January 2023 to lay off about 12,000 employees. Orgill described this moment as "crazy" and "scary." Watching friends struggle to find jobs during the hiring slowdown shook her confidence. She realized that switching to another tech company might not bring greater satisfaction or security.
She explored both internal and external opportunities but found few roles that excited her. This reinforced her concerns about stagnation and long-term fulfillment in big tech. The fear of always wondering "What if?" began to weigh heavily on her mind.
A Passion for Teaching Pulls Her Away
What ultimately drove Orgill's decision was a deep-seated passion for teaching. While at BYU, she worked as an adjunct professor, teaching two sections of an introductory programming and analytics course. This experience ignited a spark that corporate life could not extinguish.
Initially, she had planned to stay in the industry for years before returning to academia later in life. Over time, she questioned this delayed gratification. She worried she would always regret not pursuing teaching sooner. The pull toward education became irresistible.
Embracing Uncertainty for a Meaningful Future
Orgill's move from Google to a PhD program represents a significant financial and professional risk. She traded job security and a high salary for the uncertainties of academic life. However, she believes that a more meaningful career is worth this trade-off.
Her broader goal is to help expand participation in the tech industry. She wants to focus on students from underrepresented backgrounds, making them feel confident that they can "do something with technology." This mission gives her new path a sense of purpose that her previous role lacked.
Orgill's story highlights a growing trend of professionals reevaluating their careers post-pandemic. Many are seeking work that aligns more closely with their values and passions, even if it means taking a pay cut or facing uncertainty. Her journey from a Google data engineer to a PhD student in education technology is a testament to this shift.
It serves as a reminder that dream jobs are not always what they seem. Sometimes, the real dream lies in pursuing what truly matters, regardless of the risks involved.
