You lost state. Thats why the convo turned cold. Your income, car, and looks have nothing to do with your ability to spark attraction in women. What you are proposing to do is not a DHV. Its advanced supplication. Normal supplication would be to, lets say, buy a girl a drink. Getting into a school or getting a job so you can go back to your hair dresser to impress her is advanced supplication. She will not be impressed. And worse she will see through your attempt to impress her and see a man hiding behind his job.
Instead be the guy who can make her laugh, think, most importantly WET. Your income potential wont make her wet. Your powerful presence as a man will.
Now getting this schooling or this job may put you in state so you feel confident and worthy to talk to her. But your reliance on the job to DHV will backfire.
The issue with your job is in your head. That girl couldn't care less unless she wants to mooch cocaine from you. But one way I would have handled her questions or the topic in general would go something like
"card dealing.... oh that? I gave it up so I can move in with my mom. Her basement is really roomy and the rent is free. My plan now is jump start my cigarete lighter repair buisiness." Not taking how you make money seriously is a DHV.
This woman cuts the hair of 7-8 dudes a day who all try to brag about how cool their job is or how much money they make, or what car they drive. She isn't impressed. Her attention is captured by the guy who doesn't need, want, or try to earn her approval. But is indefinably cool. The type of guy you are when your with your friends on a weekend night.