$100K+ in Debt, a Master’s Degree, and Working at McDonald’s. I Don’t Know What to Do Anymore.

I’m over $100,000 in student loan debt after getting both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy. I chose philosophy because I found it genuinely meaningful, and my professors encouraged me. They told me it was a strong, versatile field—that it would teach me to think critically, communicate well, and succeed in a wide range of careers.

But I graduated last year, and now I’m working at McDonald’s for minimum wage. I can barely cover rent and groceries, let alone even think about my student loans. I apply for jobs constantly—anything remotely related to my background or skills—but I almost never get interviews. And when I do, it’s always the same: “Do you have experience with [technical thing I’ve never even heard of]?”

No. I don’t. No one ever told me I’d need coding skills, data analysis, or whatever else just to get in the door. I was told a master’s degree would set me apart. I thought it would mean something.

I feel completely stuck. I’m not going back for a PhD—I’m burned out, broke, and exhausted. I’ve already given years of my life to higher education, and I have nothing to show for it but debt and rejection emails.

I know I’m not the only one in this position, but it’s hard not to feel ashamed. Like I wasted my time, and now I’m paying the price for trusting people who meant well but didn’t have to live with the consequences of their advice.

If you’ve been through this—or even if you haven’t—any advice, words of encouragement, or just knowing I’m not alone would mean a lot right now.