For those who haven't finished school....

I haven't finished my degree yet. I'm at a painful crawl... It's tough not being able to rely on a degree to help you find something (everyone wants a college grad)...
Just lost my last job and I'm having a terrible time in this job market.
I'm the entrepreneurial type, and was thinking of this time as an opportunity to start something (a maid service, for example)... but, the economy is at a standstill.
I don't want to go back to the temp agency, because let's face it.... $10/hr isn't going to make it for me.
I'm freakin out here, man. I've been planning a long overdue pseudo trip to the yucutan/oaxaca at the end of October, and into early November...and I'm running on fumes.
I've put ads out, but I know even if I find some work...it won't last long... my fiance and I have to leave this town in late April (he's in the Navy) for Chicago...
I wish I were in Puerto Escondido, sipping on a cool drink.

Anyone have any ideas? Please feel free to use this opportunity to complain along with me, if you'd like.
Misery loves company.

Gettinglost,

Well I can commiserate with you. I moved to Florida 6 years ago (tomorrow, actually) and the first thing I realized when I arrived was that I needed to go back to school and finish my degree as I had moved here with an Associates Degree.

My salary, coming from NY mind you, was essentially cut in half when I arrived in FL. That was reason enough for me to go back and so I did. And now, I am almost finished with my Masters as well-one more course to go. So, my $0.02 is to finish the degree!!! I know the job market sucks here...I had a friend out of work for the last 3 months; she only has a H.S. diploma and couldn't find anything that would pay her enough to pay her bills. She finally got lucky and is trying something new.

And, if you can, try to squeeze a trip in!:-) I know I always have to have something to look forward to - because of working and going to school-it's a necessity!

Good luck to you!

PS-What part of FL are you in?

hi gettinglost! I hate to echo Krisk, but I have to agree...whatever it takes, strive to finish your degree. In this job market, companies don't need to "settle" for non-degree holders. They've got plenty of applicants to choose from. The only way to compete is to get (at least) your Undergrad.

If, however, you want to start your own business, go for it! Run after your passion, but keep in mind it's more risky. Being an entrepreneur means a LOT of work, and probably start-up capital of some sort, but your risk could pay off in the long run.

In the meantime, have you considered freelance work? Web design (if you can), writing, photography, makeup, any service that people might pay you to do? That could help in the interim between A) finishing school or B) starting your business. Freelance can even turn into full-time, profitable enterprises if you tap into the right market!

Good luck!

I have to say "get some degree". it does not have to be anything hard and fancy. But as long as you have a degree from a US university, it will help you in finding a job and better salary.


At 19 i started working in a clothing store. But then my parents start to push me for college. At 20 i started college. But i was working at the same time too. For fitst 2-3 years i had to take basic classes. I had no idea what my major was going to be. At age 23....still i did not know which direction i wanted to go. First i thought i would do Computer science, since it looked like computer jobs were the futre. Then I changed my major to Chemistry. I took many chemistry classes. Loved it. Untill i had to take Physical Chemistry. I hated Physics. So i gave up on chemistry. I was in college for 4 years..but no degree. Then i thought may be i could just give up on college. I took couple of semesters off.

Then somebody (a good friend) said "look you have wasted so much time and money in college already why not atleast finish it with some kinda degree"?. I thought hard. And changed my major again to History. Now i finish my degree this month. I got some small job at my university. Pay is good not great. If i did not have college degree, i would have been making $8 hour. Now i make $13. It took me almost 6 years to finish my Degree. and my GPA was not that great either. BUT alteast now i can apply to any office job and have better chance than people who dont have degree.

sorry for long reply