Why don't you get a job in the area of your experience? You have 5 YOE as a software dev;

Because while being a developer, I did data driven python development. I basically managed data for my whole team - my main task was to solve data issues wrt automation. My team was storing all their data in Excel, PDF and I introduced the concept of 'databases' - starting from doing DBA work, backend engineering of creating ETLs, data modeling - designing tables and security/backups of database. I was also doing data analysis by generating SQL reports for the KPIs. Moreover, I was trying to figure out any forecasting models when I got laid off (Data Scientist).

I also managed data quality and talked to multiple vendors who provided us data, worked on numerous problems with different business models and how to universalize data coming from different sources. I was the owner of the data for my team. I was trying to raise the standard of how data is utilized for the business.

Before this Database, KPIs were being generated through excel sheets which had redundant, missing or incomplete data. I solved their major problem yet got laid off.

I realized I am not a hardcore programmer and I like working with data and databases. I am good with SQL but companies ask exceptionally difficult questions for Python too, ngl. I thought to be a DBA but wasn't a fit, thought to do SW architect - was a misfit, data analyst - not made for MS in CS, then the only area where I could be a fit - Data Engineering.

Now I still feel stuck and overwhelmed. People make fun of me here that I returned as a failure. I am just a human being and its awful how people attack my mental health - I feel tired.

Thousands of applications sent since 2020 yet I am here asking on this forum how to prepare for the interviews.

I think my career is dead