How Do I get SEO Experience and Get a Job?

I majored in UI in college. Finished in May and couldnt find a job in that field and possibly an interview for one coming up for a job offer. Mean time I am taking professional Search Engine Optimization certificate at UC Davis University of California and doing IBM data analytics on my free time I work for Amazon full time at 17 dollars an hour. I got an interview for Data Marketing Specialist in Utah tomorrow but the wage is to low at 12- 15 dollars an hour. Someone told me to aim at 55,000. What should I do. I want to get out of my parents house soon. I also market and manage my own content for youtube.