- James Strawn, who worked 25 years at Adobe as a senior software quality engineer, has transitioned to driving a school bus after being laid off in 2025.
- Strawn applied for over 100 jobs but received only one interview, which he described as a demoralizing experience.
- He alleged age discrimination and reported that recruiters stopped responding to his applications.
- In a LinkedIn post, Strawn announced he would start as a school bus driver for Colorado District 38, stating it pays less but is enjoyable.
- Strawn's experience reflects the challenges faced by older tech workers in a rapidly changing job market.
- The median annual wage for school bus drivers was reported to be $47,040 in May 2024, indicating a significant pay cut for Strawn.
- Strawn's transition highlights the impact of age discrimination in hiring practices, which is prohibited by US federal law for workers aged 40 and older.
James Strawn, a former Senior Software Quality Engineer at Adobe, was laid off in August 2025 after 25 years with the company. Following a year-long job search that included over 100 applications and only one interview, he decided to pivot to a new career as a school bus driver for Colorado District 38.156
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Strawn expressed his frustrations with the tech industry, citing age discrimination and a lack of responses from recruiters. He stated, “After a long, difficult year-plus of looking for work and being demoralized and discriminated against by the high-tech industry, I'm glad to share that my next chapter has begun!” Despite the significant pay cut, he finds joy in his new role, saying, “It pays a lot less than my previous job, but it's fun, the kids are good (mostly), and my co-workers are caring, kind, and down-to-earth.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for school bus drivers was $47,040 in May 2024, and the job often follows the school calendar, making it part-time. Strawn's story reflects a broader trend of older professionals facing challenges in the evolving tech landscape, where employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.8
Strawn's experience resonates with many, as one user commented, “Driving a bus is just as important as your job at Adobe and as long as you do it with passion, you may impact someone in a way you didn't anticipate.” His journey underscores the resilience required in today’s job market, especially for those transitioning from tech to essential service roles.
“Strawn applied for over 100 jobs and got only one interview, alleging age discrimination. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 4.1% unemployment rate in July, with 1.8 million people jobless for 27+ weeks, highlighting broader tech industry challenges.”
