I have hit rock bottom
Hey everyone, I’m really struggling and at my wits end, thought I might vent, and see if anyone else is in a similar boat.
I’ve gone through a lot personally. I grew up with an abusive father, and I worked hard to break away from that path and become something better. In the past couple years, I’ve also dealt with painful family estrangement, becoming socially isolated from friends as I could no longer afford NYC and had to go back to my hometown, dealing with toxic managers at my temp jobs, and confronting deeper mental health struggles tied to my past.
I’m a 2023 graduate, and I feel like no matter how hard I try to build a stable, meaningful life, things keep falling apart.
I attended college as a nontraditional student, as the independent age on the FAFSA is age 24, which allowed me to avoid becoming financially beholden to my abusive family who refused to pay anything for college. This already set me back many years.
I still was able to write my hard life into amazing college essays, which allowed me to get accepted to a Duke/Dartmouth/Brown type school on a full ride, where I was able to graduate with a 3.7 GPA, land internships at brand-name Wall Street Investment Banking firms (sadly did not get the full time return offer despite my best efforts), and have spent the last few years trying to do everything “right” - working, networking, getting certifications, and staying disciplined.
But despite all of that, I’ve been stuck in long-term unemployment/underemployment. I’ve applied constantly, improved my skills, and even had higher-ups vouch for me, but I still can’t seem to find stable work. Most opportunities I get feel like dead ends.
In 2023 and 2024, I had a hard time getting interviews, often barely making it past the networking call or first round, but during the 2nd half of 2025 and this year, I have been getting to mid-to-final rounds regularly for roles and firms that I want. I just have not been able to convert anything into an offer.
I’ve tried to take responsibility for my life. I’ve worked on myself, gone to therapy, stayed disciplined, and kept pushing forward. But honestly, it feels like the harder I try, the more resistance I face.
I also see meaning in my career - I enjoy working in Restructuring and Distressed Credit because I came from a background of hardship, was able to change my life trajectory using the transformative power of education and scholarships, and I want to save struggling companies which will save jobs in towns like mine (rust belt area).
I have definitely hit rock bottom. I don’t see this as punishment, but I don’t understand why the path has to be this hard when I’m genuinely trying to do the right things, build a good life, and become a symbol of hope for suffering kids with abusive families.
I want to trust God and the Universe, but I feel lost.
Thanks for reading, if anyone else is struggling as much as I am, please feel free to share.
It sounds like you're carrying a tremendous weight, and yet, despite all the challenges, you've shown incredible resilience and determination. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable steps and perspectives that might help you navigate this tough period:
1. Reframe Your Journey
2. Focus on Networking
3. Address the Interview Gap
4. Stay Proactive During Unemployment
5. Maintain a Routine
6. Leverage Your Story
7. Seek Support
8. Set Short-Term Goals
9. Stay Positive and Persistent
10. Consider Alternative Paths
Remember, you're not alone in this struggle. Many have faced similar challenges and come out stronger on the other side. Keep believing in yourself, and don't hesitate to lean on the WSO community for advice and support. You've already proven your strength—this is just another chapter in your story.
Sources: Looking for Perspectives on Unemployment, How to deal with a recession career-wise? A few lessons learned during the previous GFC, Ask CompBanker, 9+ months of unemployment and feeling cursed…, Finding New Jobs
It’s a bit hard to opine here as you’ve not really provided much details on what you’ve been doing since 2023, but it sounds like you never landed a “real” career and built tangible skills?
If you have a 3.7 from the caliber schools you mentioned I would probably just do a 1 year finance masters (at a target school; might have to go to Europe for this) and have “another bite at the apple” so to speak.
Now I get that’s more $$$ spent and your family isn’t supporting you but that’s what federal student loans are for and tons of us have had to graduate with student loans betting on landing a job which makes it worthwhile.
I'm rooting for you, my friend. Best of luck!
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