I entered the workforce in 2000 after completing my undergrad and post-grad degrees, right at the peak of the dot com bubble. Unfortunately, by the end of 2002, I found myself laid off from my first job after 2.5 years of working there. During my time at that company, there was constant intrigue, political games, and rolling layoffs every 6-9 months. Despite the company's financial success and being a leader in its industry, I never received a raise or bonus, and I even faced temporary pay cuts twice. We were forced to take vacation during mandatory shutdowns, which created a toxic environment. Eventually, I was laid off in the fourth round of cuts, but I did receive a 60-day notice and a severance package. This experience taught me that a company's success doesn’t necessarily align with the well-being of its employees. It left me feeling scarred and distrustful of corporate America. I attempted to return to academic research for 1.5 years, but when that didn't pan out, I reluctantly accepted a position in 2004 at another company. This second company had a fantastic culture, and I felt a sense of belonging. I even bought my first house there. However, the Great Recession in 2009 hit, and after my employer declared bankruptcy, I managed to secure a role at an early-stage startup just days before the shutdown. After 2 years there, I transitioned to a larger startup where I've now survived 8 rounds of layoffs over almost 16 years. While I appreciate my current company and coworkers, I remain aware that I could be let go at any time, which prevents me from feeling like an 'owner' despite my long tenure. I've learned the importance of saving and investing, and over the past 26 years, my household net worth has grown significantly. I now have a liquidity runway that allows me to feel less stressed about potential layoffs and even consider early retirement in the next 5 years if the market continues to rise. My advice? Be cautious, save, and invest wisely to avoid being at the mercy of corporate decisions.