Layoffs may not be mounting, but it’s getting harder to find a job in a labor market where hiring is “anemic” as tariff-driven economic uncertainty has put a chill on some employers.
I know it sucks to take on something that either seems beneath you or will be contributing to preventing you from getting a job in your field but have you considered things like call center work? It absolutely sucks but it’s work and they accept almost anybody. Bonus is a lot of call center jobs are remote.
Another option I am nervous to suggest but has been helpful to me is gig work through something like DataAnnotation or Babel? They are both companies that work in the domain of training existing AIs to be smarter and give better answers. The pay isn’t top tier but its pretty okay for people with a background in programming (I think the programming work makes between $30 and $40 an hour, not great but not awful). I feel gross contributing to killing the jobs I could otherwise have but I try to remind myself that AI is still overrated for what it can actually do and that AI does have some beneficial aspects which are weighed down by a corporate class who only want to use it as a way to cut human workers out of the picture. I can also attest to these actually being real and having gotten paid for the work I did.
dataannotation.tech
babel.audio
I hope this at least helps you get some meager income to stay off the streets my friend. I know they aren’t the best options but sometimes that is the nature of life. If nothing else it gives you a foothold to get better/more valuable certifications.
Edit: also for anyone looking for work in Washington state try Ecology Litter Corps through the Washington Department of Ecology. Pays decent and you help make the state look nice by picking up trash.
I could be wrong about the pay, of course, I don’t have enough programming knowledge to apply for that. Mercor seems like another good option though for people looking for something like that. Thanks for including the suggestion for others here! I have added it to my original comment.
I know it sucks to take on something that either seems beneath you or will be contributing to preventing you from getting a job in your field but have you considered things like call center work? It absolutely sucks but it’s work and they accept almost anybody. Bonus is a lot of call center jobs are remote.
Another option I am nervous to suggest but has been helpful to me is gig work through something like DataAnnotation or Babel? They are both companies that work in the domain of training existing AIs to be smarter and give better answers. The pay isn’t top tier but its pretty okay for people with a background in programming (I think the programming work makes between $30 and $40 an hour, not great but not awful). I feel gross contributing to killing the jobs I could otherwise have but I try to remind myself that AI is still overrated for what it can actually do and that AI does have some beneficial aspects which are weighed down by a corporate class who only want to use it as a way to cut human workers out of the picture. I can also attest to these actually being real and having gotten paid for the work I did.
dataannotation.tech
babel.audio
I hope this at least helps you get some meager income to stay off the streets my friend. I know they aren’t the best options but sometimes that is the nature of life. If nothing else it gives you a foothold to get better/more valuable certifications.
Edit: also for anyone looking for work in Washington state try Ecology Litter Corps through the Washington Department of Ecology. Pays decent and you help make the state look nice by picking up trash.
https://ecology.wa.gov/waste-toxics/solid-waste-litter/litter/ecology-youth-corps
EDIT II: @fayaz@lemmy.world suggests Mercor and says they have better rates than DataAnnotation: https://mercor.com/
I’ve been working for Mercor for the past 3 months. I think their rates are far better than what you mentioned.
I could be wrong about the pay, of course, I don’t have enough programming knowledge to apply for that. Mercor seems like another good option though for people looking for something like that. Thanks for including the suggestion for others here! I have added it to my original comment.
https://mercor.com/