Over the past few months, the tech world has seen a series of large-scale layoffs at some of its biggest firms. While these moves aren’t necessarily a sign of failure, they can be hard for workers, communities, and investors to make sense of.

Many tech companies over-hired during the pandemic, chasing opportunities like remote work and e-commerce while also trying to capture interest in new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). As revenues dropped, these organizations needed to reduce costs. Layoffs are one way to do that.

Another big reason is the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates, aimed at slowing economic growth and discouraging businesses and consumers from spending. This will inevitably lead to higher expenses, which means more cost-cutting measures, such as layoffs.

While it may seem counterintuitive, these downsizings can also provide opportunities for smaller firms to take advantage of a talent pool that’s suddenly looking for new work. Supply chain organizations, for example, are often struggling to find the right talent to manage a complex digital infrastructure. These tech workers could be the answer.

However, it’s important to stop using words like “realignment” and “downsizing.” The reality is that these are not just changes in leadership or budgets. They are real personal disruptions for thousands of skilled engineers, designers, and managers who suddenly face uncertainty. These workers can choose to hop from one big tech company to the next, chasing stability and trying to avoid uncertainty or they can use this time to reframe their career goals and consider options they might not have considered before.