The Golden Age of Tech is Over (I’m Tired)
Growing up, I was sold a dream. My generation was told that the path to success was straightforward: go to school, get a college diploma, and doors would open to a seamless lifestyle filled with opportunity. It seemed so simple, so certain. I believed it, as many of us did. But now, years later, as a software engineer who has been out of work for nine months, I find myself questioning the validity of this narrative. Was it naïveté? Misinformation? Or just a reality that has fundamentally shifted?
The truth is, the value of a degree in today’s job market feels increasingly questionable. Yes, degrees matter for certain professions — doctors, lawyers, engineers working in specialized fields — but what about everyone else? The average person isn’t aspiring to spend eight years in higher education to become a neurosurgeon. Many of us set our sights on careers in fields like software engineering or broader STEM areas, drawn by promises of high demand and lucrative salaries. But the market — this market — has shown us otherwise.
In my own experience, and in conversations with peers, it’s clear that a degree is often not the golden ticket it’s made out to be. How much of what we learn in school translates directly to the workplace? How much could we learn on the job if companies invested in robust training programs? And why is the prerequisite for opportunity often a mountain of student debt?
There’s a bitter irony in being told to chase higher education as the gateway to a stable future, only to find yourself saddled with debt and locked out of a job market that demands experience you couldn’t possibly have gained in school. It’s a system that feels rigged, designed to perpetuate itself rather than truly empower the people it claims to serve.
But here’s what I’ve learned in my months of unemployment: success doesn’t always come from following the prescribed path. If there’s one thing this frustrating journey has taught me, it’s the importance of pursuing your interests — not necessarily your passion, but something that sparks curiosity and motivation. Over time, genuine interest can grow into expertise, and expertise can become a sustainable career.
The advice to “do what you love” is often romanticized, but there’s a kernel of truth in it. When you find something you enjoy — even if it’s not a dream job — you’re more likely to stick with it, get better at it, and eventually reap the rewards. And let’s be honest: financial stability can make anything feel a little more enjoyable.
Right now, I’m exhausted — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. The constant grind of applications, rejections, and self-doubt has taken its toll. But I’m also starting to redefine what success looks like for me. It’s not about adhering to a narrative that no longer aligns with reality. It’s about finding a path that works for me, even if it doesn’t look like the one I was told to follow.
To anyone else feeling disillusioned by the promises of higher education and the job market, know that you’re not alone. This system is flawed, and it’s okay to question it. It’s okay to feel frustrated. After all, when did expressing frustration become a bad thing? Feeling frustrated is a human emotion, one that often signals the need for change. Suppressing it doesn’t solve the underlying issues; acknowledging it can be the first step toward finding clarity and forging a new path.
Of course, there’s a risk in airing out these emotions in a public forum like this. Potential employers might see it and view me as unprofessional or overly critical. But is it truly unprofessional to be honest about the realities we’re facing? I’d argue that authenticity and transparency should be valued more than blind compliance. The ability to reflect critically on systemic issues — and to seek solutions — is a strength, not a weakness.
To those who may judge me for this post, I hope you can see it for what it is: a candid account of my experience, my frustrations, and my determination to navigate this flawed system in my own way. And to my peers who feel the same, let’s continue the conversation. Let’s challenge the status quo and redefine what success means for our generation.
