I recently found myself in a tough spot after being laid off from my role as a software/data engineer at a large financial company early last year. I have a CS degree from 2023 and had about two years of experience working with Python, AWS, and SQL, specifically building data pipelines. After the layoff, I struggled to land any offers despite going through several interviews. To make ends meet, I took on non-tech jobs, which I fear might make it look like I gave up on my engineering career, but that wasn’t the case. In a moment of desperation, I even started a CNA program to switch careers to healthcare, thinking it would provide stability and a sense of purpose. I completed much of the training and clinicals, but I quickly realized that patient care wasn’t for me. I was juggling two jobs and dreading the clinicals, so I made the tough decision to quit the program just before finishing. While I feel guilty about it, I also feel a sense of relief. Now, I’m determined to get back into tech, ideally as a software or data engineer, and I’m particularly interested in the emerging AI technologies. However, I feel completely lost on how to bridge the gap in my resume and catch up with the latest tools and trends. Financially, things are tight, and I’m exhausted from the constant job search. I’m considering various options: whether to pursue a master’s degree, build personal projects, keep applying for jobs, or dive into learning the new AI stack. I’m even contemplating taking a step back into an IT role, like a help desk position, just to stabilize my finances. I’m reaching out for any advice from those who have been in similar situations. How do I overcome this gap and get back into the field? Is taking a help desk job a smart move, or should I hold out for a role more aligned with my engineering background? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.