# Episode 055: Job Insecurity

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2016-01-22
- Length: 54m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-055-job-insecurity

## Summary

Hosts Bob Clagett, David Picciuto, and Jimmy Diresta discuss the recent layoffs at Make Magazine, GoPro, and Fitbit, using these events to analyze job insecurity in the maker and technology sectors. They debate whether the current boom in YouTube and podcasting represents a bubble that could burst, leaving creators vulnerable, and emphasize the importance of continuous skill acquisition and adaptability to maintain career stability. The conversation highlights how makers can pivot between disciplines, from woodworking to electronics, by treating problem-solving as a transferable core skill regardless of the specific tools or materials involved.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=1) Introduction: Project Updates and Tool Troubles
- [3:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=212) Sourcing Tools and Shop Logistics
- [7:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=422) Shop Setup, Electronics, and Troubleshooting
- [15:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=915) The Engineering Design Process and Iteration
- [19:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=1161) Job Insecurity: Layoffs at Make, GoPro, and Fitbit
- [27:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=1653) The Maker Bubble: YouTube, Podcasts, and Oversaturation
- [33:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=2025) Pivoting Skills and the 'Dig Ditches' Mindset
- [44:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=2682) Entitlement, Entry-Level Jobs, and Career Advice
- [48:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity#t=2890) Community Recommendations: Workbenches and 3D Printing

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Rockler (other)
- DeWalt (other)
- Milwaukee (other)
- Harbinger (other)
- Lincoln (other)
- Grizzly (other)
- Arduino (other)
- Make Magazine (company)
- GoPro (company)
- Fitbit (company)
- Dell (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- Jay Bates (other)
- Dustin Painter (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Gotta Update My Dog](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-04-29-gotta-update-my-dog) (The Amp Hour)
- [STL354: Go and Do the Thing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-11-14-stl354-go-and-do-the-thing) (Shop Talk Live)
- [Catalyzing Change Agents](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-07-08-catalyzing-change-agents) (The Amp Hour)
- [Wow, Dave REALLY likes Top Gun](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-25-wow-dave-really-likes-top-gun) (The Amp Hour)
- [Shop Talk Live 9: Four Finger Swipe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2012-06-22-shop-talk-live-9-four-finger-swipe) (Shop Talk Live)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-01-22-episode-055-job-insecurity. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Making It.