Rapid iteration and pressure environment is an opportunity to craft a skill.
Making of small games to build a skillset is a good way. A new game every 1-3 months. From start to finish. It will be hard, especially aside from the contracting work to make money, but i know i can take it.
Pressure and limitation of resources is surprisingly important. When you don’t have a choice but to grind and move forward, it will surprise you how much you can do.