Sorry to hear about your first experience with crypto, but I can assure you there are a lot of legitimate projects that exist, STEEM included.
You can convert STEEM to other cryptocurrencies( or fiat) on various exchanges, or use it to "power up" and increase your influence on the platform (more power to upvote or downvote posts).
If you believe in the future of the project then you should power up and participate regularly.
Have a nice day :)