[cowbolt]

I'm in a similar situation to you. In my experience there are a lot of people these days who get the sense that they're falling behind despite feeling like they've done everything right. Tech in particular has been seen as "the right choice" for a while now, and it can be hard to come to terms with the arbitrary injustice of a market downswing, especially when it most severely affects new graduates. You follow the advice people give you, see the job offers and salaries your older peers are getting, and when it's your turn things are suddenly completely different. It's cruel!

I don't have any advice when it comes to realizing your dreams of a high-paying, high-status job, but I've dealt with a similar cynicism and volunteer work has been a great help. It's very, very easy to get caught up in the narrative of your own life, especially when you're surrounded by peers and family that subscribe to a similar narrative. Making a change in the lives of people who are struggling is a great way to feel good about yourself, and the perspective you'll get from talking to and understanding people in different circumstances to your own is very grounding and humanizing.