I've been going through a rough period for the past couple of years and all the small things are catching up with me. I did research on RISC-V for my former University without pay or credit and it was alongside a doctor. I stirred up a different department on collaboration with CompSci and kept pushing FLOSS. I was effectively forced out before the talks could start so someone likely got credited with what I did.

In life I'm looked at as a failure, someone who had a bright future from a bad background. Sometimes I look back at those who ended up being successful and wonder what factors played a role in their success.

I'm not eligible for many careers because of my lack of a BS Degree. For a double Major in Mathematics and Computer Science with a minor in Cybersecurity with experience in the fields of all the above. I wasn't able to pay tuition or get a good paying job and had to quit during my senior year.

@AmpBenzScientist I recently got a doctorate in mathematics and I'm still unable to find good work in my local area.
I'm going back to school for cybersecurity as well as looking into the certification process.

I still feel, deep down, quite a bit like a failure.