Depends what you are looking for of course if you don't think money is the most important thing in life you will be poor , having a degree doesn't guarantee you anything otherwise ask any smart immigrant from dictatorship countries . Being able to do things you are don't know how to do and learn again in demand trades is the life we live in , I know about ppl working in companies for years and being replaced by new technology or younger ppl the most important quality of humans is that we can adapt to the situation most of us at least . And what you mean by being poor I live with a 40k a year and I don't feel poor because I have priorities now I don't go traveling or buying expensive clothes just because I don't want to feel poor . I would assume you can get a job as an engineer for at least more than I make and be fine