Is the government regulating, and surplusing, people out of jobs?

[TehLlama]

I've got a Computer Science degree, and I've taken a pause on working towards my masters (again, another really high demand degree) because I've found that I enjoy working in machine shops so much, even as an apprentice CNC Machinist, and having to work for free the first month or so to get my foot in the door (and demonstrate that I would produce more in good parts than it would cost them to replace tooling and work holders to keep training me).

Post 9/11 GI Bill is insanely handy, and yellow ribbon schools make that happen - I'll run out of that as I finish my MS, but I really feel for anybody within a few years of my age that is coming out with the same degrees, zero work experience, and mountains of debt, there's no way they can compete with candidates like me in this job market.

I'd really look at what light industrial options are around, even if you're just doing some driving for them up front (again, you have something already of value to them, use that to get your foot in the door). I'm always amazed at how much these small local firms are willing to put in effort wise for somebody who is trustworthy and curious/willing to put in the time to learn, it's humbling for me that they're so willing to help, even though the benefit is mutual.

[Alpha Sierra]

Maybe I should clarify. I wasn't mad at anybody but myself, so I changed my situation. I'll give another example to illustrate that having a degree brings in more income vs not. Me and fellow classmate both got a job at same place, with the same skill set, and same skill level; but I made $2 more because I graduated early and he hadn't at the time. As soon as he graduated he got his pay increase.
And as far as company surviving with only production workers, it couldn't. Just like a company couldn't survive with just upper management. From my experience the most successful companies work as a team....

OK, I'm tracking....