It is understandable to feel discouraged after all your hard work in school- looking forward to starting your future and life is just not cooperating. We are led to believe that once we graduate we can start our career immediately in our chosen field and our path will be straight and smooth. And for some people that happens- but for many more of us our career path can have slow starts, detours, dead ends and engine trouble. The important thing here is to keep trying. Give yourself credit for your attempts. You will find the door that will open. Keep putting yourself out there. I don’t know if volunteer work is something you could consider- you mentioned student loans- but if you keep trying you WILL find something. Even if it’s part time, temporary, not in your field, take it. I think you will start to get your confidence back once you are earning money and busy with work responsibilities, in addition to meeting new people. Be the best employee you can be. If the job is short term, ask your boss for a letter of reference to use in your job hunt. Keep your skills up. Sometimes we end up in places we never imagined we would be, but often the universe puts us there to learn something or to meet someone or to find something out. Detours are not a waste of time.
I am much older than you and while it might not seem like it to you now, life goes so fast. You have youth on your side, and you are just starting out. Is there something that you would like to try or have always wondered about? Now is the best time to consider that- it will be much harder later on when you may have more financial responsibilities and your career path will be more settled and then you may be reluctant to disrupt it. You need possibilities to get over this feeling of hopelessness. Things will get better – you are bright, articulate, educated. Believe in yourself and don’t give up.

Kelsey,

I agree, Maria gave great advice. I wanted to also offer something to think about. Sometimes it’s good to make a plan that is do-able. Whether it’s ultimately the direction you want, any direction is a good direction to get you started in life. I think when you don’t know what you want, it’s good to just get out there and start doing something. I know you’ve been trying, that’s not what I mean. I mean something solid like the Peace corps. Are you in the U.S.? You can pick what part of the world you want to work in. You can pick what type of project/work you want to help with. The all around benefits are crazy good. You will generate a deep sense of pride and respect for yourself and from those you meet throughout your life for your service. This is a list of benefits from their website, peacecorps(dot)gov This is just an idea. A lot of people use this for a stepping stone when they are in the exact position you are in right now. It opens doors and helps you get an idea of where you want to go from there, moving in a positive direction. No, I am not a recruiter, just wanted to offer an idea to possibly help you off rock bottom. Here’s their benefits listing:

What Are the Benefits?

Peace Corps is a life-defining leadership experience you will draw upon throughout your life. The most significant accomplishment will be the contribution you make to improve the lives of others. There are also tangible benefits, including the following Peace Corps provisions:
Certain public student loans may be eligible for deferment or for Public Service Loan Forgiveness by your lender
Perkins loans may be eligible for partial cancellation by your lender
A “readjustment” allowance of more than $8,000 (pre-tax) upon completion of service
Language, cross-cultural, and technical training
Travel to and from country of service
A monthly living and housing allowance
Full medical and dental coverage
48 paid vacation days
Unique graduate school opportunities
Leave for family emergencies
Transition and job support and social networking after service
Advantages in federal employment
Opportunities for short-term assignments through Peace Corps Response
No fee to participate