Tejal Rives, a 35-year-old product marketer at Amazon, fell victim to the tech industry's latest wave of layoffs in October 2025, despite her efforts to stay relevant through AI upskilling. Her story highlights the complex relationship between AI adoption and job security, as well as the importance of prompt engineering in the age of AI.
Rives initially believed that her expertise in AI, particularly in prompt engineering, would shield her from layoffs. She had been using AI to assist with internal product descriptions and even built an internal site for Amazon using AI, learning to 'vibe code' through trial and error. However, her efforts were not enough to save her job.
The author emphasizes that prompt engineering is a crucial skill in the AI era, enabling professionals to ask AI the right questions efficiently. This skill is essential for ethical AI usage, as it reduces the need for multiple clarifications, which can be resource-intensive. Despite her initial disappointment, Rives now advocates for prompt engineering as a valuable asset for professionals.
The experience taught Rives a valuable lesson: the importance of a balanced lifestyle. She reflects on how her dedication to work had led to burnout, causing her to neglect her child and her side business, Do My Resume LLC. After being laid off, she took a break from technology and focused on sewing and house cleaning, realizing the need for a healthier work-life balance.
Rives now runs her business, providing career coaching and resume-writing services, with minimal AI involvement. She believes that while AI can assist with idea generation, it should not replace human expertise. Her husband's income provides financial security, allowing her to focus on her business and family.
Looking ahead, Rives warns that layoffs will likely continue, driven by AI's efficiency. She advises professionals to prepare for such events by upskilling in AI, particularly prompt engineering. While reskilling may not prevent layoffs, it can enhance employability and facilitate a quicker transition to new roles.
In conclusion, Rives' story serves as a cautionary tale about the evolving job market and the need for adaptability. It underscores the importance of prompt engineering and a holistic approach to career development in the age of AI, where human expertise and ethical AI usage are invaluable.
