Former Web Developer Hired as Civil Site Designer Two Months After Layoff

Brian Gordon began work as a civil site designer on May 6 after his frontend developer position was eliminated when his company shut down in March. Business Insider reported that the new role requires him to design parking lots and drive-thrus for a fast food company while coordinating with city planners.

Gordon, who lives in Glendora, California, with his wife Andrea and their two-year-old son, researched alternatives using the Claude chatbot.

He considered electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, CNC machinist, low-voltage electrician, and water facility operator positions. A friend at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory suggested land surveying, which led to an offer from the friend's father-in-law for the civil site designer job that uses AutoCAD software.

Gordon majored in sociology in college and taught himself to code after delivering pizzas.

His new position pays 30 percent less than his prior role and requires five days per week in the office. Business Insider reported that Gordon said he would absolutely not return to tech.