Laid off thrice in 2 years, tech worker walks away from startups to embrace a timeless career

After navigating three layoffs in just two years, New York–based professional Sarah Henschel decided it was time to leave behind the volatility of the tech sector. At 35, she is now pursuing a master’s degree in education, determined to enter a field she sees as more stable and meaningful. “Teaching is not going away. It’s always going to be a needed career,” she told Business Insider.

Henschel had built a 12-year career in tech sales, working her way up to customer success manager. The roles paid well, at times as much as $110,000 annually, but came with constant uncertainty. She admits her latest layoff was “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” Instead of rushing back into the cycle, she chose a new direction. “I enjoyed tech, but I didn’t wake up dying to be in it every day,” she said in the report.

Choosing passion over perks
Her decision wasn’t entirely unexpected. Henschel has dabbled in teaching before—whether as an SAT tutor in New York or as an English teacher in Spain after college. “I’ve always really enjoyed working with kids,” she said, noting that the profession also offers flexibility for when she starts a family. Beyond passion, the stability of pensions, annual pay hikes, and free health insurance in New York’s public school system added weight to her choice.

The financial trade-off
Transitioning into education means taking a temporary pay cut. But according to Henschel, the long-term outlook is promising. Teachers in New York can earn up to $140,000 by retirement, with steady annual increases. “I know I’ll make less money for a while, but in 10 years, I’ll be making the same, if not more,” she explained. Her one-year master’s program will allow her to begin teaching by the following fall, minimizing financial strain.

While she admits she will miss the dynamism of startups and the perks of tech culture, Henschel sees her pivot as a move toward security and purpose. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “After my chaotic three-year sprint in tech, I’m happy to join a field I’m passionate about—with a union and pension that will help with long-term family and retirement planning.”