Many techies earned enough during the boom to allow them the freedom to pursue more personally rewarding work. Others are simply shell-shocked from their recent career experiences, and need a less crazy environment. Inquiries to the Peace Corps rose 38% from 2000 to 2001. Some high tech firms are encouraging their employees to pursue volunteer work. Cisco, for instance, pays its laid-off employees 1/3 of their previous salaries and allows them to keep other employee benefits, if they volunteer at a non-profit for a year.
See "Displaced techies turn to public sector", Jon Swartz, USA Today, January 15, 2002