EmotionalDepiction's journey

I wanted to share my journey and seek some advice as I navigate this challenging job market. I graduated high school with high hopes after my vice principal's inspiring speech about the endless opportunities that awaited us if we went to college. I pursued a bachelor's degree in psychology, believing it would lead to a wealth of job options in marketing, research, and communications. I worked hard, maintained a 3.8 GPA, and was eager to step into the professional world. However, reality hit hard when I started applying for jobs. Despite sending out hundreds of applications and landing a few interviews, I faced constant rejections. I was told I was overqualified for lower-level jobs and lacked experience for the positions I wanted. I found myself stuck working at a deli, earning $11 an hour, while my dreams of a stable adult life seemed to slip further away. Fast forward to now, I'm 28, still living with my parents, and burdened with $35,000 in student debt. My expenses keep piling up, and rent in my area has skyrocketed to $1,500 a month. To make ends meet, I took on extra work mowing lawns after my shifts at the deli. My parents often criticized me for not trying hard enough, but I felt like I was doing everything I could. The pandemic exacerbated my situation, leading to the deli's closure. I was in a toxic relationship and felt trapped. Thankfully, a friend helped me land a job as a customer retention associate, which I worked hard at for four years, eventually getting promoted to manager. However, I was laid off last year, and now my bills have only increased. Since the layoff, I've applied to over 300 jobs, but the rejections keep coming, often feeling like I'm being filtered out by AI systems. I've had several interviews, but they always choose someone else. I followed the path laid out for me—went to college, got good grades, and worked hard—but I'm left wondering when it will all pay off. Does anyone else feel forgotten by the system? I'm seeking advice on how to climb out of this economic chasm and finally start the life I was promised.