throwaway10015982's journey

I graduated with a degree in Computer Science at 29 in 2025, but I've found myself underemployed and stuck in a retail job. It feels like the tech field is closed off to me since I didn't have multiple internships during college. Now, I'm contemplating my next steps. I'm considering going back to school for a different degree or perhaps enrolling in a community college for a two-year trade certification, likely in automotive. I really regret my college choice, especially now at 30, as I feel behind on retirement savings and other financial goals. I wish I had started building a 401k years ago instead of working in retail.

I’ve been feeling really lost in my job search lately. I’ve been working in retail for the past four years, and I got the job without an interview—just clicked apply and they hired me. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, but it feels like I have no idea how to leverage it to find a better job. Whenever I mention my degree, people seem surprised that I’m still in retail, and it makes me feel inadequate. I’ve looked at software roles, but the qualifications seem impossible to meet, and even entry-level IT positions like help desk jobs feel out of reach. I don’t have a proper resume tailored for tech jobs; I’ve only got a basic one for my service industry experience. I’m thirty years old and have been in this line of work for over a decade, so I feel stuck. I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. The support system around me feels non-existent. The government doesn’t seem to care about underemployment, and my university has basically washed their hands of me since I graduated. I’m at a loss for how to move forward and can’t think of a path that would help me earn more than $24 an hour. I really want to know how others are finding decent-paying jobs because I feel like all my options are closed off.