Anyone around 25 in Dallas feel like they keep trying and losing?
Posted by Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 89 comments
Hey y’all, I’m 25 and I’ve started a few businesses over the past couple of years, but none have really taken off. I’ve also been trying to break into tech I taught myself to code, built projects, even applied everywhere but it feels like I keep hitting a wall.
It’s starting to wear on me a bit, and I’m just curious if anyone else around my age in Dallas is going through the same thing? How are y’all staying motivated or figuring things out?
Would love to hear how others are managing whether you’re in tech, business, or just trying to get life steady.
alongwayfromhome1@reddit
Networking is the number one way to getting hired in. A hiring manager will look at recommendations from existing employees or professional friends before any number of electronic applications that are filtered through all sorts of key words and hr software. I’d recommend getting on LinkedIn and seeing if you have any connections at all to the companies you’re interested in. Also, make sure youve put in the work on your resume by researching what hiring managers are looking for on paper. Once you’ve applied, make sure to try to form a connection with a hiring manager on LinkedIn at that company. Simply submitting your application online will not do anything for you.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Oh cool, another 'just network more' sermon. Let me guess you landed your last gig after 'grabbing coffee with the right person'? Must be nice. Some of us show up with actual skills, projects, and references, and still get told we're either 'too qualified' or 'not enough' before anyone even looks at our work. Networking only works when people already see you as valuable. If you're starting from scratch or pivoting careers, it's just a polite way of saying 'stay in your lane.' But hey, thanks for the recycled advice. Maybe next time try listening before preaching.
alongwayfromhome1@reddit
You asked, I posted my own experience and recommendation. I get it is hard and “networking” sounds like a shitty fluff answer. Totally understand your frustration but you’ll agree with me in the future. Have you tried any connections from school or the program you used to learn coding? Any mentors you can connect with? Just remember, the younger you are, the more people will be willing to help you! Try to think of all the connections you have. You’d be surprised at how many 2nd or 3rd degree connections can get you to where you want to be. Theres also development programs at lots of corporations for candidates right out of college or still in their twenties. Purpose of these programs is to rotate you into different departments you’re interested in. Try looking for those programs as well. Also, most corporations have a hiring team that focuses on college recruiting. I know you’re out of school but it can’t hurt contacting them.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Well I won't I reached out to peopel and it goes no where they cannot force the hiring manager to hire me. I have gotten interveiws but like i said I'm over qualified, nof full stackie enough , ghosted, I don't look the part, amung other bs answers. My reference I have volunteered with or have due to the programs we went though vouch for me but that leads no where, I'm told I'm skilled etc but that is not reflected in any thing besides somone handing me a phone number then ignored after that. I mean I'm glad netorking helps you but it does not work for everyone.
wharf_rat_01@reddit
No one is going to hire a self taught coder if they want an actual maintainable code base.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
What makes you asume I cannot maintain a code base?
mathmagician9@reddit
Have you?
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Yes
mathmagician9@reddit
Lead with that.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
I mean you don't have my resume or any of my projecs for you to asume I don't know what I'm doing without any data on my what so ever says more about you and people like you than me.
mathmagician9@reddit
I get it, but people like me are hiring you and we make a lot of assumptions and snap judgments that often aren’t true. Gotta be sharp on the story telling.
Wayfaring_Limey@reddit
100% this. If I’m looking for a dev I’m not looking if they were educated at some Ivy League college, Community College or their moms basement.
I’m looking for what they’ve done, who they’ve done it for and what skills/experience can the bring to the table.
If they don’t lead with that, then I probably won’t finish the whole of their resume before closing it and looking at the next one. It’s a employers market at the moment, every job I post gets 1000 applications and they need to stand out one way or another.
BitGladius@reddit
College sort of matters for your first job, but it's going to be closer to a pass/fail - you either completed a related degree from a school they trust or you didn't. But you can still fall flat on your face in the interview, you need to actually bring some skills.
Also, since I had to run a few interviews - if you have a suspicious gap in your experience, explain it inline. I almost red flagged that before seeing a master's course way at the bottom of the resume.
Phynub@reddit
This is a weird take... I'm a self taught python developer, was the lead developer and now product owner for an application within a Fortune 10 company with 5k + internal users....
But I have a degree in business and have been coding for 10 + years.
BitGladius@reddit
IDK if it's that weird. You might run into someone good, but it's a gamble. So many places are selling courses with a pitch that's basically "complete our course and you'll get a high paying tech job", it's about learning the bare minimum to put it on your resume in hopes of getting money. The self taught people will need something more like an apprenticeship to catch up.
Phynub@reddit
Wharf is stating no one, no one at all. That’s not the case. lol. Sure it’s less likely but it’s not impossible to find a job as a SWE without a degree.
Those courses are hit or miss. Before covid they seemed to be good but now post covid and with all the layoffs I wouldn’t touch them with a 1000 foot stick.
BitGladius@reddit
That phrasing is almost never used literally, and in a practical sense if they don't have verifiable experience people who are self taught or took the current "ticket to a high paying job" course advertising everywhere they're getting moved to the bottom of the pile. Interviewing isn't free, people are going to prioritize the safer/more consistent bets, and are likely to get a hire from that group.
pc_4_life@reddit
This is not true. I’m self taught and a senior engineer at a FAANG+. You just need experience. Start by breaking into smaller companies and grind it out. I got here after several years in the industry.
Never-Been-Tilted@reddit
Hey man, just wanna say I work at pluckers and we’re always hiring. BOH starts at $19-20, going up to $24. If you’re management, they pay for your benefits and it doesn’t come out of your paycheck. You also get $300 once a month on a gift card for food, so you won’t go hungry.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Ok Ill look up pluckers what is that?
Never-Been-Tilted@reddit
Wings & Beer, but very successful.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
I did some dd for them they always packed
Never-Been-Tilted@reddit
Always my guy. I was there 3pm to 4am last night.
ciscokidwasa@reddit
It’s normal, I struggled thru my 20s and everything didn’t fall into place until I was in my 30s. Networking was the one thing that contributed the most to my shift. Talk to anyone and everyone when you’re out and about. Trying finding one or two mentors as well
Wayfaring_Limey@reddit
This should be higher. Starting out on your own is a lot more about who you know that what you know.
Some of the best technical minds I’ve come across could not keep their own business afloat yet as an employee they can keep a department afloat without hesitation.
The contract you need to lead your company from struggling to thriving could come from anyone. One of my businesses took off because of a guy I met on discord gaming server. You never know who could bring you a lead.
ciscokidwasa@reddit
Exactly, it applies to anything in life. The key to making a shift in life is to meet new people and talk to as many people as possible. If they don’t do business with you, they might bring up your name to someone who is searching for what you’re selling
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice.
ciscokidwasa@reddit
You’re welcome, just keep going and best of luck. Atleast you’re trying, most people don’t.
skinandearth@reddit
Tech is a hard market to break into right now. You’re competing with people who’ve been laid off but have 10+ years of experience, bachelors or masters degrees
In addition to that, I’ve interviewed so many people who put that they can code multiple languages, but in reality when it gets to the coding test they don’t know crap.
Good luck
No-Cap1353@reddit
Get a cdl. Drivers are always in demand. It’s also a business that can be easy to get into using freight brokers to get jobs.
Go to Mexico to fix your tooth. Flight and dental work for 1 tooth could be as low as $500 all in.
ITS_HIIIGH_NOON@reddit
if ur on reddit trying to find winners i have bad news for u.
VelociTopher@reddit
I work in the h and can tell you that the entire tech world is shifting right now and hiring is very very tight. It's not just you, there are hundreds+ applying to roles that only 1 candidate is getting. Keep at it, up your skill set, and keep applying. It's a tough time, NGL.
computer_dork@reddit
"...that only 1 candidate is getting."
I don't mean to call you wrong here per say but my experience recently says this is incorrect. The more accurate figure appears to be zero. I've heard from some peers in the industry they are being forced to keep job reqs open publically with no intention of filling them. This would explain a lot of (if you sre lucky) rejections people are getting near instantly and (more common) the infuriating radio silence when applying. If not illegal should be IMHO but given the state of the world around us seems like par for the course
VelociTopher@reddit
I mean, I know people are getting hired in these roles, because I'm getting new coworkers. 😂 My point is that for 1 opening that's filled, there are hundreds of applicants.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Yea, its not just tech though, I can code, I have tried business I seem to have a hard time getting clients I just signed up with the sbdc ( I think its called) to get some mentorship, I drive forlifts, I have a security license. I don't know what to do anymore.
ocultada@reddit
Have you tried moving to India and applying for an H1B visa here in the US?
I hear that's the only way to get a tech job these days, but that could just be internet rumors.
UDMN@reddit
Bad take.
VelociTopher@reddit
I can only speak to the tech and maybe manufacturing sector, but I know it's rough everywhere right now, man. I feel for you. I've been there and right now lots of us are just kind of holding on to see what's next.
arlenroy@reddit
I work in manufacturing, I've been in the industrial repair trade for quite a while now, and I can tell you the amount of plants that have been running in the red is worrisome. But, like you said, we're in a holding pattern. It's not bad enough to make drastic changes, it's just enough to keep money tight until the fiscal year ends, that also is dependent on if a company fiscal year runs concurrent with the calendar year, there's a lot of variables. I'm no economist, I am just someone who has worked their way up from middle class blue collar to lower class white collar, so my experience is more anecdotal. I'd say with the tariff talk all over the place, the fed not signaling any major change in inflation, companies are just holding on. Don't give up OP, life in general is cyclical, it'll come back around for you, just keep doing what you're doing and it'll swing back around.
totallynotfromennis@reddit
I'm right there with you, I have a bachelors but haven't used it in years so I got a forklift cert and have been working at a warehouse to pay the bills. These are tough times, but don't let the man get you down.
LimDogMillionaire@reddit
just try harder. cant go downhill forever if youre working hard…
bbarton214@reddit
You are not loosing. You're learning. It's hard to see sometimes. But the universe works for you. when you don’t get the things you think you really want - it’s protection.
Designer_Accident625@reddit
What kind of businesses?
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Drop shipping (made some money), photography, lawncare, software development, and junk removal/moving.
Plastic-Resident5019@reddit
Same boat. I just started a business and still trying to find clients. It’s been difficult. I have a long term tech project I am working on that would need investors but for now I’m focusing on my new business. I don’t even know where to go to find mentors or even friends who could guide me.
UDMN@reddit
Unfortunately this is probably the worst job market I've seen in 23yr experience in tech.
InformationOk6366@reddit
What do you -want- to do? What interests you? You need to build up a work history if you’re trying to find and keep a steady job while you figure things out. Office, remote work, sales, anything you can get into. Stick it out for at least six months to a year. That will be a stepping stone to your next job or going out on your own if that’s ultimately what you want to do. Is school an option? Look into part time or evening classes if so. I went to law school at 25 and now I love what I’m doing. Took almost a decade in food service then puttering around until I got my degree and paralegal certificate before I decided what I wanted to do. Went to law school in the evenings worked full time as a paralegal. I had help paying for school though and I know that’s not an option for everyone
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Code but honestly I thought about switching to nursing or something.
losingfight20@reddit
Maybe you could do medical coding?
andysb16@reddit
This is a great suggestion! Go into Medical Informatics and you’ll have a better chance to land a great paying role along with a chance of working hybrid.
gwarsh41@reddit
Buddy, I'm 39 and feel like I keep trying and losing. The only thing I seen to be able to do is hold a day job in IT and barely get by. As time goes on, the cards get more and more stacked against us.
TheBiggestofBallz@reddit
I'm 37... been a waiter, hotel clerk, soldier, student, pharmacy tech, hardware store employee, Uber driver, student, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Systems Engineer, handyman, app developer, and soon to be doctor. I've lost plenty of jobs...and got competitive positions on the first try. Life isn't always a straight road....but you'll get where you're going if you keep driving.
mshdptato@reddit
I don’t own businesses but I have worked in video production since 2002, which is hurting bad. It was already hard enough in Dallas to get work but the last so many years, I’ve struggled as well. I’ve had to get a job at the local pizza place or go find a warehouse to work in just to get by. It’s very discouraging & can feel so shitty sometimes but don’t let it overcome you. I have a multitude of gear so I can freelance in between when there’s no work. Good luck, keep your head up.
zHydro@reddit
Lie on your resume
Historical_Walrus713@reddit
It’s currently peak season for Amazon, UPS, and FedEx drivers.
djokky@reddit
Tech is doing very poorly right now. From new college grads to veterans with years of experience. It could improve, but those are whims of the market. There is too much uncertainty with AI.
If you want some stability, would you consider nursing if you are go back to school? It is relatively hard job to replace with AI, and more on the human side.
If you want to pursue tech, you could boot strap yourself and make your own apps or programs?
The economy in general just seems to be in a downer this year. It's anecdotal, but there seems to be fewer Halloween decor this year too.
Just know thats its not all you. Try to find the small things that bring you joy.
DoubleG357@reddit
Don’t quit. I’m in business number 3…and I’ve grown it quickly because of what I learned from my first two ventures.
I also work a full time job too. Don’t quit, don’t conform.
Do you at least have income coming in?
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
I was recently layed off I'm doing doordash and anything I can get my hads on like day labor etc.
tmc00138@reddit
OK, so that's good. The key, basic thing is to stay on your feet. Keep cash coming in and head up. Look into warehouse jobs and anything else that'll provide a steady paycheck; gig work is very precarious. And when you do get into an organization, be a solid employee, let them know that you want to be there for the long term and won't flake, and then back it up.
The truth of the matter is that i) this is a very hard time, and a very hard time to be starting a business or working your way into a career pivot; but ii) believe it or not, this is one of the very best places to be right now. Most US states are already in recession. Texas isn't, and might not go into recession even if most of the rest of the country does. And a lot of higher-value jobs are moving here, even now. It's very hard for young people right now because a lot of the older paths forward have been erased, and new ones are just forming.
The reality is that it will probably take at least a couple more years for you to work your way into a position where you can really breathe easier, and more time after that to really work your way up. So give yourself that time. Because if you keep your feet under you and keep going - especially here - your odds are actually very good in the longer term.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice and the response. I though about just getting into nursing with wgu because of it being more stable . I will apply to more forlift jobs . I can drive a forklift, turent, loading doc and a cherry picker.
tmc00138@reddit
At this moment in history, stability is at a huge premium. With stability, you can save money and plan. Even in good economic times, an underappreciated character trait is levelheadedness, i.e., not lunging at things that look like opportunities before thoroughly checking them out and making sure that you'll be OK if they don't work out. You almost certainly shouldn't be spending time and money trying to start a business right now. Get stable, get into a position where you can save money and breathe, and start looking around and thinking about next steps from there.
And find a way to get that tooth taken care of. I don't know, maybe call up dental schools -- I seem to recall that they offer services at super-discounted rates. You need to take care of yourself physically and mentally, because problems on those fronts can sap your energy and derail you, when what you need is a long period of staying on a pretty straight and level path.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Lmfao I went to a dental school I was quoted 1600 🫠
tmc00138@reddit
Oof. OK, so that's not great. See if any of this helps:
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-options-are-there-in-dall-LZ8xjB52QV2wV10bgd7LRg
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Thx will look more in to this monday.
KaleidoscopeLow7301@reddit
I think that’s just your 20’s in DFW. Doesn’t matter what you do, no one will even listen. Just keep going, and trying new things, eventually you’ll find something that works. But then you’ll still be stuck here. Sigh.
CatteNappe@reddit
That's your 20's everywhere, ever. Try this, try that, try something else. None of them are going to "take off" for another 10 years.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I’ve thought about just getting a basic job, staying at a friend’s place, and relocating to another state or city. Honestly, it feels like no one wants to do business with someone young—I don’t know. My mouth hurst because I cannot afford the surgery to get my tooth removed.
mathmagician9@reddit
Have you thought about getting a masters or getting into consulting? That was my path 8 years ago. I now work in a highly desirable AI company.
What’s really hot right now is vibe coding apps backed by AI agents that actually do something other than knowledge based chat. If you can showcase that through a vibe coded front end app, you’ll be ahead of applicants. It’s actually way easier than learning traditional ML and data engineering concepts like spark btw.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
I don't have a degree. I though about consulting, do you know of any companys that don't screw you ? LIke basepay plus commission?
mathmagician9@reddit
Everyone screws you, but you are empowered to craft your own narrative when you move to the next company.
tacoscholar@reddit
Coding is pretty much dead. Entry level jobs are being replaced by AI/API’s. If you can code you’re better off looking for a data annotation job with an AI company, they always need people that can read code.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
thx I'm going to look into this.
crosoxo@reddit
I'm an engineer and it's been good. Everyone moved to tech and there's nobody to do the traditional engineering. Even better if you're into outside physical jobs like forensics. They're always hiring and the pay is high compared to office jobs. Side gigs are going good too.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Yea I did not go to school I had some issues in my personal life I needed to tend to I want to go back but thought about wgu nursing.
crosoxo@reddit
Travel nurses make upwards of 6 figures. Whatever you do, if you stick to it the career may not always bring you what you want but it will bring you what you need. Just make sure it's an actual college and not scam. But don't deviate between tech and nursing and this and that. You could make bank being a good carpenter, plumber, electrician anything really.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Yeah, WGU partners with Dallas College and other organizations for clinicals and similar programs. I just want to go that route because it’s flexible, and I can save money so I’m not struggling when it’s time for clinicals.
Darth_Molotok@reddit
Don't feel too bad about the business not working out. Take them all as learning experience. Remeber what worked, and what didnt work. You should go get some certifications for coding to help build your resume. Knowing how to do all of that with no work experience to show what you have done or that you truly know how to do it will makes getting a good job, difficult. Maybe start a freelance coding or web design business and not charge a lot while you get your certifications or build a portfolio. Then charge more as you gain the experience.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
I did some freelancing I wnat to post my website but I don't want my post get taken down but yea I have some freelance work under my belt.
Darth_Molotok@reddit
Thats good. Just keep it up.
Darth_Molotok@reddit
Most people go their whole lives wanting to start a business and dont because of fear of failure or fail 1 time and give up. Keep working and things will work out. Maybe you start a great business or fall into a great job somewhere.
jucktar@reddit
Lol I'm 56 and keep trying and failing
Ego-Death@reddit
But you keep getting back up and putting 1 foot in front of the other. That’s what separates losers from winners, losers give up. Winners keep going.
soulinsurance420@reddit
What kind of businesses did you start? Why didn’t they work out? Do you have any other ideas? Really curious.
Minimum_Ice_3403@reddit
25 . Been working for my self since June of 2019 .Before landing on what i ended up doing i spend hours and hours immersed in just the hobby aspect to them as time went I learned a little bit more and then I accidentally somehow stumbled on a transaction that turned green. From there all I’ve been doing is the same thing and only working a few hours a day.
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
what do you do?
Minimum_Ice_3403@reddit
25 . Been working for my self since June of 2019 .Before landing on what i ended up doing i spend hours and hours immersed in just the hobby aspect to them as time went I learned a little bit more and then I accidentally somehow stumbled on a transaction that turned green. From there all I’ve been doing is the same thing and only working a few hours a day. The problem might just be your moving too fast onto too many ideas. Just look at one idea that is normal and boring and try to turn it into a profitable idea. Doesn’t have to be millions just a few hundred dollars and then think about scaling it.
I buy collectible items from collectors who need to liquidate. Think sneakers ,clothing legos ,cards ect .
Minimum_Ice_3403@reddit
25 . Been working for my self since June of 2019 .Before landing on what i ended up doing i spend hours and hours immersed in just the hobby aspect to them as time went I learned a little bit more and then I accidentally somehow stumbled on a transaction that turned green. From there all I’ve been doing is the same thing and only working a few hours a day. The problem might just be your moving too fast onto too many ideas. Just look at one idea that is normal and boring and try to turn it into a profitable idea. Doesn’t have to be millions just a few hundred dollars and then think about scaling it.
OkBathroomy@reddit
Yep no one is going to take you seriously because of the workplace stereotypes about Gen Z. Which are totally real things I've done time and time again
Ok_Tadpole7839@reddit (OP)
Yea... I know how am I supposed to live without turning to a life of crime I though about moving ngl I just need to look up on good places to live for somone of my age, seems like the in Dallas I'm shut out. People exepect you to do free work and I'm not doing that.