wvars1231's journey

I graduated in 2021 with a BA in Game Design and Development and Computer Science. I landed a job as a UX designer at TATA Consultancy Services and worked there for three years until I was laid off in December 2024. Since then, it's been a tough journey. My wife and I moved into her parents' house after I struggled to find work throughout 2025, and my unemployment benefits eventually ran out. At the end of 2025, I attended an AI summit where I met a startup founder who has been giving me some part-time work this year, which I'm grateful for, but it's only about 10 hours a week. I also did some AI training for a friend's startup, but they were acquired last month, and while our contracts transferred, there hasn't been any work since. I picked up a weekend job at an arcade in June 2025, but at just 12 hours a week at $16.50 an hour, it barely helps with expenses. Despite these challenges, my wife and I managed to save up and relocate to Dallas in hopes of starting fresh. I'm still juggling my contracts, but I'm also considering doordashing since I can't even land a retail job. I've applied to countless positions, probably thousands at this point, and the most I've gotten is one round of interviews with HR or recruiters that lead nowhere. I know I've had some luck compared to others who have faced complete radio silence, but the job market feels impossible. The requirements keep changing; when I graduated, jobs asked for 1-3 years of experience, and now that I have 3-5 years, most listings ask for 5+ years. I'm reaching out for any advice or suggestions. I want to do whatever it takes to keep our apartment. Also, if anyone has feedback on my portfolio, I'd appreciate it: https://wvars123.myporfolio.com.