Getting Ahead

Why does it feel like it is so hard to get ahead in life? Something has changed. In the past each generation helped improve upon the next. My parent's parents worked hard to provide for their children so they could have a better life than them and my parent's worked hard so they could pay for me to go to college and I could get an education and have a job in a field I was passionate about. However, it has come to many people's attention that a Bachelor's degree no longer holds the weight it used to in getting a career, particularly it has come to my attention. I look back on my college career and how much money was spent and immediately feel this weight pressing down on me. I unfortunately also chose a field that not only requires loads of dollar signs put into the preparation and education but also very expensive equipment to get started. I remember a visiting professional photographer came to talk to us in school one day and he basically said the only way you are going to make it as a professional photographer is 1. if you are already wealthy or 2. if you know the right people. I having neither of these weapons under my belt, but already being in my fourth year of college, decided to push on feeling a little broken and very worried. I know I have the talent and the vision and the capabilities, but what I do not have is the camera, the computer, the lenses, the lights, the connections, etc. I have no money and I can't even find a decent job in the mean time, doing something I'm interested in. I'm feeling pretty down about this, so I don't even think I can wrap this up with a positive attitude. I am feeling like my generation got screwed. Where are the jobs we were promised our degrees would get us in high school? Maybe my attitude will be a little different later if some things turn around.