Pilot Archive

Currently I'm 2111 and am stuck on a mission from my trainer. The mission is too difficult right now for me due to my currently installed components. I would like to make some money in space so I can upgrade my components but no one I've talked to will give me another "duty like" mission so I can make some cash. It seems because I'm stuck on this mission that I can't proceed. Does anyone know how I can get a decent paying mission at my level so I can at some point buy some better parts and continue on? Can I somehow do some side missions somewhere? I've asked several starports but they just tell me to get lost.