I think it's more hostile than you imagine. I'm quite young and can't even breaj into the industry with a job. I also am not bad. I do well in my interviews (I can feel it and they tell me too), I work on a variety of things and have side projects, I've done well at an internship, etc. It's a mess right now. I'm far from the only one my age struggling this way.

Had I not tried the self employment route I'd probably have starved to death or had to work at a gas station and then starved. I wasn't really ready for it either but that was the option. I live and breath programming and absolutely love it. I have since I was in my early teens. At this point though it's looking more and more like I'll have to do something else to get by. I actually always did want to be able to work on my own projects, but if I have to work in other fields then that will likely be the end of it. I won't be able to make enough to do anything but work.

I think it's just a hostile field in general at this point.