I'm (mid-twenties) struggling with severe anxiety about working and I have a hard time seeing myself being happy in the future… I just don't see any hope given the state of our country right now. I am struggling to find a job despite having a bachelor's degree and 3 yrs of work experience in Marketing. Many of the jobs pay like 40k and are marked entry-level but want someone with 5+ years of experience. I'm exhausted.
I went through 5 interviews for a basic email marketing job and did a project/presentation for them that was the equivalent of a final project that would take a whole semester to complete. Come to find out I didn't get the job and they gave it to someone with a Master's… this job hardly paid enough for someone with a Bachelor's. It feels impossible to find a job that pays over 55k and has benefits (requirements for living in a big city). I've done aptitude tests, psychological interviews, projects, etc just to be treated like garbage. I feel like my degree is worthless.
My last job was contract and when it wrapped up I decided to form my own business with the idea that I can use it as a secondary source of income. I took 4 months to get it set up but now I feel like I'm being looked over because god forbid I take a break from corporate work. I'm also smart enough not to share I have my own business because god forbid you work on something that doesn't have to do with their business in your free time. I'm lucky I've been able to get interviews but I have no decent offers and am terrified now given everyone is talking about a recession.
I'm an incredibly hard worker, have lots of solid hard skills, and am kind – yet still nothing. My self-esteem is pretty much in the gutter at this point. I've gotten the impression that many of these corporations want total control over you and your time, and try to guilt you for being human. I'm afraid for my future, I'm worried I won't be able to own a home. Not to mention rent is so insanely high right now and corporations are buying up lots of housing and raising the rents.
I don't understand how people are going to be able to afford children, homes, pets, etc, or even be able to support themselves in the future. My business gives me a small hope but my plan is to work on it in my free time and grow it over 2-3 years to make it a sustainable full-time source of income. I'm going to need a job before that can happen and there is still a high chance that it could fail. Everything feels so dark and hopeless right now. I knew the American dream was gone I just didn't realize how truly far gone it was.