Elevated anxiety levels about career uncertainty

In tech, getting laid off is scary until... you actually get laid off. :) Then, the world doesn't end. In fact, it can make you apply for the job you should have applied for before but didn't know about, or were too risk-averse to jump ship for. A 50-yr-old with no formal qualifications or specialist skills getting laid off, sure , that's scary cos they're less employable. But age 24 with a recent degree, energy, and recent tech experience. you'd be fine. I've been laid off twice in a 30+ yr career. Both times, I got a job that was better, including better paid. And left unpleasant environments for better ones. And had a nice break doing interesting things between jobs. I've many colleagues who'd say the same. Some even say "its the best thing that could have happened to me". It helps to build up some savings. Should be do-able even on a modest tech salary. Getting another degree - my advice, consider studying part-time, somewhere that allows it to be done at flexible pace - maybe a Masters in Comp Sci by distance learning, at a place which allows those with non-comp-sci undergrad to treat it as a conversion course. You could do certification like AWS but beware that's got a short shelf-life whereas a Comp Sci Masters looks good on paper for decades (as well as improving excellent fundamentals). If you do get laid off, generally, some severance gets paid. Which you could use for tuition fees. When else do you get paid for NOT going to work? ;) I'd say , regarding job insecurity, embrace it and learn to roll with it. Or, if you really can't cos you're a "worrier", consider working for the government as although it sometimes pays less, its a lot steadier and you don't have to fret.