BG Life Suggestions: What do I do? (Getting laid off)

[Odesseiron]

Okay I'll try not to make this too drawn out.

90% possibilty I will have no job by 12/31. I work for the government. Long story short, new County Exec was elected, decided to axe certain programs because we cost too much (even though our program is paid for federally and shit doesn't come from the county) and our department (roughly 40 of us) are on the axe list.

Our health benefits continue until 1/30, so I'm getting everything taken care of now. Eyes, dentist, check ups, etc.

I'm 29 and have pretty much been bouncing around from job to job since I was 16. Offices, retail, you name it I probably did it. I have a high school diploma and only one semester of bad college under my belt (when I was 18)

Thing is now, I'm at one of those crossroads. I've come to the point where I don't want to go job to job anymore. I want a career. I've been looking to go back to school. This time it will be my decision to go and I know I can do better. I want to do something with Computer Science or Networking, but I see Comp Sci. is a pretty tough course. I know computer and network stuff will always be in demand (unless something drastic changes) but the idea of doing Calculus 1&2 makes my brain melt. Highest math I did was HS math 12 years ago. I know I can do it if I apply myself, just unsure what route to take.

Couple of options I have:

I can collect unemployment up to 13 months (from what it looks like) get a job off the books (know a couple places that would hire me) and just save everything while attending school full time. When unemployment runs out, I can work PT at night. And go FT student during the day. I'm ready to do this I think. I'm 29. I'm not so old where choosing a career would be the wrong thing to do. By the time I'm done, I'd be about 34ish.

Immediately start looking for some crap retail/office work around the area while attending night school. Takes much longer, and requires that much more focus for me, since I won't be attending school FT. For me, in order to focus, I must be dedicated and immersed in it.

Any input from someone who has been in a similar boat or just suggestions overall are welcome.

[Demosthenes11]

comp sci isn't very difficult, but for that field it is very important where you go and how much you apply yourself (socially, not academically).
Get an ok job for a few years while you take courses at a CC, then transfer to a real school that has a good program. Here in cali, you get lots of student aid (free, not loans) for going when you are older, so look into that for your state. If you are dedicated and you like comp sci, you could graduate into an $80k/year job in 3-4 years.

[aurik]

You won't be able to handle comp sci if calculus 1 makes your brain melt.

[Antithesis]

Don't listen to aurik. He's a fucking twit.

[Odesseiron]

Haha. I didn't say it makes my brain melt. The thought of it does however. I'm sure applying myself I can handle it. Besides, isn't that what BG general is for?

[kyod]

If you are dedicated and you like comp sci, you could graduate into an $80k/year job in 3-4 years.

Is this for real? Entry-level comp sci job in this economy making 80k/yr? (well, maybe the economy will be way different in 4-5 years) That's crazy.

[Melena]

The one issue with the computer field to keep in mind is that it's absolutely fucking flooded. I'm very lucky to have gotten in where I did, out of about 200+ people who took the written test for my position, the sheriff's office only hired two. If you have friends who are in the field, I would seriously talk to them to see what they say and recommend. It's a dog eat dog profession, and you will want to make sure you set yourself apart from the pack when it's time to enter in your new career.

[Olo401]

I was in the same situation from about 1998 until 2007 (yes, I got a perm job just before shit went nuts.. how crazy is that!). What always worked for me were employment agencies, even if it only gave me a job for a week at a time. It keeps you going and motivated, helps you build a diverse network of business connections, and usually pays VERY well. Plus if you find something that you REALLY like, and you have the potential to become a permanent employee, you already have a foot in the door and references sitting next to you in the next cube or office.

The downsides are of course the work stagger, but you can collect unemployment between work assignments. Also you don't get benefits unless you get a long-term assignment (and even then they're crappy benefits).

[Correction]

Is this for real? Entry-level comp sci job in this economy making 80k/yr? (well, maybe the economy will be way different in 4-5 years) That's crazy.

80 strikes me as extremely optimistic. It's not 1994 anymore, and entry-level talent is a dime a dozen.

[bigrougabagel]

(when I was 18)

When you were one cool smiley face. Sorry, can't get past it.

[TheTaru]

80 strikes me as extremely optimistic. It's not 1994 anymore, and entry-level talent is a dime a dozen.

Not that I'm saying it's at all typical (I agree, it isn't) but my friend is graduating from Columbia with a CS degree and has already had job offers of ~$90k/year after he finishes school. It's certainly possible.

$90k was Google, Twitter offered him something similar to that too.

[Vandole]

i'm a comp sci major and i was quoted 60k starting salary at best.

btw i failed cal 1 :D
GOOD THING IM AT A SHITTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO RETAKE IT WITH EASE

[Qalbert]

read that as shitty communist college

[Odesseiron]

Everything is seemingly oversaturated right now. Nursing, computers, business, etc. You can't win no matter what you do. I might as well do something I like. Computers to me are something I like working with. I've never had that hard of a time finding a job. Don't know if I'm lucky, or just in a good area.

[Tyche]

I fucking envy all of you who are getting laid off. I've been begging to be laid off or fired for 6 months.

[Serif]

I fucking envy all of you who are getting laid off. I've been begging to be laid off or fired for 6 months.

We just feel you are too important to this company...

http://phoenix.fanster.com/wp-conten...fice+Space.jpg

[Melena]

@Odesseiron Area can be a factor. I'm in the middle of the silicon valley, so lots of competition here.

@Tyche Do what I do. Tear your shoulder at work, go on workmans comp for 6+ months and give your two weeks notice 3 days after you come back so you can start your new career.

[Demosthenes11]

80 strikes me as extremely optimistic. It's not 1994 anymore, and entry-level talent is a dime a dozen.

Not that I'm saying it's at all typical (I agree, it isn't) but my friend is graduating from Columbia with a CS degree and has already had job offers of ~$90k/year after he finishes school. It's certainly possible.

if you go to a good school, get yourself into the network, it will be hard not to get a job like that. Maybe that's just cuz I live in the silicon valley and all the comp sci majors I know are a year or so out of berkeley, but still.

[Ragnus]

Employment agencies are the way to go for now as you get a new degree / permanent job.

Don't rely on unemployment too much because it's a pain in the ass to be on knowing you're at the will of the government. But if you do decide to go on it be sure to request that taxes get taken out of each check so you don't have to pay them all at once at the end of the year.

[Zhais]

if you go to a good school, get yourself into the network, it will be hard not to get a job like that. Maybe that's just cuz I live in the silicon valley and all the comp sci majors I know are a year or so out of berkeley, but still.

Just maybe