I (29M) got my degree in Physics 8 years ago. I didn't really have a particular career in mind when I chose that major, they just had extra scholarship money laying around and I didn't have any help from my folks so it seemed smart at the time.
After graduating, I struggled to find work - I think because the area is live in is very competitive as far as STEM goes. After a year, I pretty much got a job at a DoD contractor thanks to my mother knowing a guy that knew another guy, but the role was in Test Engineering which I never really did prior.
Then, because Covid, everything just went topsy turvy. Everyone got sent home, myself included, so I didnt really get the right training for the role so I sucked ass at it and was just kinda relegated to doing whatever piddly task they threw at me. That went on for about 4 years or so, me stagnating at a job I wasn't particularly good at until they rightfully dismissed me but were kind enough to dress it as a layoff.
Then I worked for a short stint at a large manufacturing facility. The people were alright but the work was difficult, the pay was a little lower but I didnt mind that - we worked 4 10s but they would announce mandatory OT on Thursdays which always sucked and motivated me greatly to look for better work.
After 6 months I found a position at a very large contractor working with RF. I liked this work and the team a great deal and was paid an amount that put me into tears when I saw it. But after 11 months, my entire team was cut due to budgetary concerns. So back to the job market I go.
After a few months of unemployment I found probably my favorite role. I was working as a Cyber Security Engineer traveling to military installations to inventory systems then bring them into compliance. I was part of a small team that covered CONUS and a few overseas installations. After 6 months, team gets chopped.
After being unemployed for another few months, I threw in the towel and now I work as a Visitor Control Officer at a hospital. I'm ngl im in a dark place mentally. At 15/hr im making around 1800 a month full-time. Not even enough to cover my mortgage.
I want to just run away or something, I dont know how to describe it. I can't handle the pressure the world is putting on me. I feel like, im down for the count. My applications just fall into the abyss and when I do get a job I am qualified to do, i get laid off through no fault of my own.
I just wish I wasn't so depressed about it, and the worst part is I've started to resent the people around me because honestly fuck them for having straightforward lives with successful careers and relationships while I'm just sat here single with no prospects of a future.