but I got to wondering if anyone, ever actually uses it to access the start menu.
Yes definitely. Try pressing the Windows key and type the first few letters of the app name you’re looking for, it’s way way faster than mousing around clicking and scrolling through the Start Menu.
Also Windows key + E to open the file explorer gets used a lot. And windows key + L to lock the screen, I do that one a lot when walking away from the desktop at work.
Video editing / post production is the type of work that you need to have contacts in the industry to really get by. So you’d still apply to job postings but after a while the different production crews working on projects will have your info & can book you on future gigs when things go well.
I am not in that field but have a few friends/family doing it. Traditionally the majority of those type of jobs tend to be in the NYC area or southern California. I know people use Mandy to look for those type of jobs but I’m not too up to date on other places. That yt site you mentioned seems a bit hacky, maybe designed to attract beginner youtube influencer types.