I started over in my 30s. Here's what happened generally: 1.) Graduated with a degree that had very limited options post-graduation 2.) Worked dead-end jobs 3.

I started over in my 30s. Here's what happened generally: 1.) Graduated with a degree that had very limited options post-graduation 2.) Worked dead-end jobs 3.) Got tired of said dead-end jobs, and started teaching myself Linux and AWS 4.) While employed at the last dead-end job, I got LPIC-1 and AWS Solutions Architect Pro certs 5.) Used the certs to get an entry-level Linux System Administrator/AWS SA job at a startup 6.) Worked my butt off for a year at the entry-level job, and then applied for a job at AWS (in support) 7.) Got job at AWS, which I'm still at I went from making like $35k to 6 figures in around 4 years. Find something you're passionate about, and go about learning it. For entry-level jobs, certificates are often a good replacement for experience (at least to get hired). Once you have your first job, focus on meeting people and learning as much as you can. And then pivot. You won't ever know how good you are unless you take a leap. Only reason I thought I was good enough to apply to AWS is a recruiter reached out to me cold and I gave it a shot.