61-Year-Old Indian-American Software Engineer Starts GoFundMe for Rent: The Dark Side of Tech Layoffs

 IIT Graduate, 20+ Years in IT, Now Can’t Pay Rent in the US — What Went Wrong?

A 61-year-old software engineer with more than two decades of experience is now struggling to pay rent in Dallas. He started a GoFundMe, and he is seriously considering leaving the United States. How did a former tech professional reach this point?

This is the story of Gautam Dev, a former techie from Dallas whose decision to quit his job in 2024 turned into a nearly two-year battle to find full-time work. His experience raises difficult questions about age, employment gaps, and job security in today’s tech market.

In 2024, Gautam was working as a software engineer for an IT company in Dallas. He was told that he would have to relocate to another state to keep his job.

That September, he made a choice many of us might understand: he resigned, decided to stay in Dallas, and began looking for a new role. At the time, it probably felt like a manageable career transition.

But he later described that decision as “a disaster.”

Gautam had worked in IT for over 20 years. He had experienced short gaps between jobs before, but he had always found another role. This time was different.

He applied through LinkedIn, reached out to his network, and attended interviews—including multiple rounds with the same company. Some interviews seemed to go well, but no offer came.

He believes two factors may be working against him: his age, and the long employment gap that has now stretched to nearly two years.

As months turned into years, the financial pressure became severe. Gautam reportedly turned to gig work, including driving for Uber and making deliveries, but that income was not enough to cover his living expenses.

His savings were drained, credit-card debt piled up, and rent became his biggest concern. In January, he started a GoFundMe campaign, which raised more than $9,000—money he says went entirely toward bills.

Gautam is now considering moving back to India, where he lived before moving to the US more than two decades ago. He has not made a final decision, but the possibility itself says a lot about how precarious a career can become—even after decades of experience.

His story is not just about one person’s misfortune. It is about a job market where experienced professionals over 50 can struggle to get hired, where an employment gap can become a barrier, and where a single career decision can quickly turn into a financial crisis.

So here’s the question for you: Do experienced professionals over 50 face a tougher job market, even with strong qualifications and decades of experience?

Tell me in the comments. If you found this story thought-provoking, like the video, subscribe for more stories on jobs, technology, and the economy—and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Link: Gofundme Please Help a Brilliant Professional Transition Safely Back