Looking for some guidance...

[MHennessy]

I am not really sure what I should be doing right now. I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I graduated from high school. I got my A.A. and B.A. The B.A. was in psychology. I then got my masters in elementary education. I did well in school. Because I went to a few private schools, my education has totaled 100,000 dollars in loans. Starting pay for a school teacher with a masters on Long Island is about 6ok. I came out of school thinking I would easily find a job. The only one I found was as a permanent substitute making 20k a year. I am 25 and am having a hard time seeing past my current situation... I fear that I might not find a job soon enough. I dont know if I should look into another program to become and accountant or finance? I wonder if anyone has any good advice for me.

[The Unconquered]

Originally Posted by MHennessy

I am not really sure what I should be doing right now. I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I graduated from high school. I got my A.A. and B.A. The B.A. was in psychology. I then got my masters in elementary education. I did well in school. Because I went to a few private schools, my education has totaled 100,000 dollars in loans. Starting pay for a school teacher with a masters on Long Island is about 6ok. I came out of school thinking I would easily find a job. The only one I found was as a permanent substitute making 20k a year. I am 25 and am having a hard time seeing past my current situation... I fear that I might not find a job soon enough. I dont know if I should look into another program to become and accountant or finance? I wonder if anyone has any good advice for me.

The first rule of getting out of a hole is to stop digging.

The second rule is to climb out.

You've certainly got your work cut out for yourself. There are many, many resources out there about getting out of debt. Note that bankruptcy will not clear your student loans. You can consolidate, etc. depending on the type of loan, the lender, etc. You can also learn to live within your means -- although that would be hard on Long Island making 20k. Yikes! Prepare to make some major changes.

[Isaac Ben]

Originally Posted by MHennessy

I am not really sure what I should be doing right now. I did what I thought I was supposed to do. I graduated from high school. I got my A.A. and B.A. The B.A. was in psychology. I then got my masters in elementary education. I did well in school. Because I went to a few private schools, my education has totaled 100,000 dollars in loans. Starting pay for a school teacher with a masters on Long Island is about 6ok. I came out of school thinking I would easily find a job. The only one I found was as a permanent substitute making 20k a year. I am 25 and am having a hard time seeing past my current situation... I fear that I might not find a job soon enough. I dont know if I should look into another program to become and accountant or finance? I wonder if anyone has any good advice for me.

It sounds like you have a good education. Probably you can't find a job because the market where you live is small. Have you tried to find a job in a different city? You may have to move to find a good job.

You are young, so you could move to a city where job opportunities are better. Once you get the job, you may define a plan to pay your loan.

Right now, you could start looking for information about the best practices for job interviews: how to do your resume, what kind of clothes you should use, what to say in the interview, how to get ready, etc.

Don't feel bad for your current situation. Don't let pressure to stress you. Instead use this pressure to push you get the job and finally accomplish your goal.

[Mike75]

You have a good education, so that means that you are a capable and skilled worker. Just keep looking for jobs and if you don't find the one in education field, then diversify your search. Look into other fields or other areas in the country.

[BrettAshlee]

Sounds like you have a fine education to put on your resume. It's true that the job market is still quite tough, and therefore, it's important to differentiate yourself in your resume from the thousands of other applicants who also have fine educations.

Make sure you are utilizing multiple job search methods, including networking. As another poster mentioned, you may also need to look outside of your home area in today's job market.

[Vagabond Bobby]

There is far too much focus on a good education you have.

Now, lets focus on experience! Get some experience in what you have, which you are and keep moving up. I learned not every employer cares how long your work history is, the more insightful ones (I would rather work for when I worked) see how effective you are.

If you truly in a dip, keep pushing and you will only move up. If you are in a cul-de-sac (which long island sounds like it might be) you may want to just "quit" long island. Find a more inexpensive to place that you find a job at. The internet is powerful.

Definitely don't default on your student loans, they can more than double.

The $555,000 Student-Loan Burden

If your education isn't working for you, you can always do internet marketing. It is relatively cheap to pick up, it takes some time and effort into learning it. You learn by doing.

Poker dealers make $60,000-$140,000, you may want to move to a state with casinos.

Too many options, just don't stick to something if it doesn't have a bright future. I learned when to quit when I quit my job recently. Now I focus on my own business.