How One Community Member Went from AI Layoff to Thriving in Tech Again—Fast
When Layla Adams, a UX designer from Austin, Texas, received the email that her position was being dissolved due to the implementation of a new AI system, she sat in stunned silence. “I kept thinking, I’ve done everything right—how can I be obsolete overnight?” she recalls while sharing her success story with Jinkable.org.
Layla wasn’t alone. Like many in the creative and digital industries, she had become a casualty of automation.
A 2023 Goldman Sachs report estimated that AI could disrupt 300 million full-time jobs globally, particularly in administrative and creative roles (Goldman Sachs, March 2023).
After nearly eight years in the same company, the sudden layoff left her feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. She spent the first week scanning job boards, updating her resume, and applying to roles that seemed mismatched for her skillset—or already swamped with hundreds of applicants.
“I felt like I was screaming into a void. Every application was like a message in a bottle, drifting into silence.”
— Layla Adams
It was during one of her late-night search sessions that Layla came across Jinkable. “I almost didn’t click. I’d seen so many ‘career support’ platforms that were just glorified email lists,” she said. “But something about their mission to support people like me—displaced by AI—felt different.”
THE TURNING POINT: Structured Support, Human Connection
After joining Jinkable, Layla was quickly matched with a Career Redirection Advisor who assessed her current skillset, interests, and goals. Together, they crafted a personalized roadmap that included:
- Completing a micro-certification in Product Design for AI Tools
- Attending two resume/portfolio feedback sessions
- Participating in Jinkable’s weekly Virtual Networking Circles
- Applying for jobs through Jinkable’s curated job board
“The courses weren’t just educational—they were empowering. They helped me see my experience not as outdated, but as adaptable.”
— Layla Adams
According to the World Economic Forum, 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted by 2028 due to AI and automation, but upskilling can significantly boost employability.
Unlike generic upskilling platforms, Jinkable’s curriculum was designed with AI-transition realities in mind. Layla’s certification gave her credibility in product design for tools that integrate machine learning—ironically, the very space that had displaced her.
The real game-changer, however, came through the community aspect. “It was the first time since the layoff that I didn’t feel alone. People were openly sharing their journeys, their wins, and their setbacks. That vulnerability created a connection.”
AFTER: 3 Offers Just in 30 Days
Layla began seeing results within just two weeks. A hiring manager from a startup attended one of the Jinkable networking events and followed up about a potential design opportunity. At the same time, her updated portfolio—refined through Jinkable’s coaching—caught the attention of two recruiters on LinkedIn.
By the end of 30 days, Layla had received three solid job offers, each aligned with her updated skillset and career vision. She accepted a remote Product Design Lead role with a mission-driven health tech startup—one that actively seeks candidates with human-centered design experience.
“Getting hired wasn’t just a win—it was a turning point. Jinkable didn’t just help me find a job. They helped me rediscover my confidence.”
— Layla Adams
What Made the Difference?
Jinkable’s approach combines career redirection, education, and human connection—the trifecta Layla credits for her transformation. Rather than focusing solely on re-skilling, the NGO acknowledges the emotional and psychological toll of AI-related job loss.
In a McKinsey survey, 50% of companies already using AI said it has displaced workers, but nearly 90% of leaders emphasized the need to reskill affected employees.
Layla now volunteers as a peer mentor within the Jinkable community, sharing her story and helping others navigate similar transitions.
“Being on the other side of fear, I now realize AI didn’t end my career—it redirected it.”
— Layla Adams
Layla’s Message to Others Facing AI Job Displacement
“If you’re reading this and feel like you’ve lost your identity because of a layoff—breathe. I’ve been there. I know the crushing self-doubt, the fear of opening another rejection email, and the pain of thinking your skills no longer matter. But here’s what I’ve learned: you are not outdated—you are evolving.
Joining Jinkable changed everything for me. It wasn’t just the courses or the resume help. It was being seen. Heard. Guided. I found a community of people rebuilding, not just reskilling.
My advice? Don’t wait for your confidence to come back—rebuild it with action. Sign up. Show up. Speak up in those networking circles. Learn one new thing this week. Let someone help you. You’ll be amazed how far that takes you.
I went from hopeless to hired in 30 days. Not because I was lucky—because I said yes to help.
You don’t have to do this alone. If you’re feeling lost, Jinkable is where you start finding yourself again. Please—give it a shot. You’re worth the comeback.”
— Layla Adams
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