He was laid off after 25 years as an Adobe engineer, applied for a year, then gave up on tech to drive a school bus

James Strawn, a 25-year veteran at Adobe, found himself driving a school bus after being laid off in 2025. Strawn, who worked as a senior software quality engineer, spent over a year applying for jobs without success after his departure. Frustrated and demoralized by the high-tech industry's discrimination and layoffs, he opted for a different path.

In August 2026, Strawn began his new career as a school bus driver for his local Colorado school district. While the job entails a significant pay cut, Strawn values the sense of community it brings. He praises his coworkers and the students, describing them as kind and caring. Strawn's move highlights the challenges faced by experienced tech workers in today's job market, despite ongoing demand for technology roles.