1.5 master's degrees and unemployed (Chicago: transfer, school, moving)

[Sailor22]

My qualifications are Master's Degree in Special Education, Environmental Education and Undergraduate in Liberal Arts and Environmental Science.

I was working in the city for CPS for the past 3 years. I am open to new ventures and have a strong background in working with plants. I would love to integrate both working with plants and working with individuals with special needs in the community.

At this point, I am considering moving out of the region, but would prefer to stay here in the city. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[chikid]

Google Chicago Environmental Network. They have list of orgnizations that are community based and deal with plants/ecology.

[jasper12]

Why are you not working at CPS any longer?

[Sailor22]

Lack of positions from lack of funding. It has been ridiculous.

[Rewind4]

Originally Posted by Sailor22

Lack of positions from lack of funding. It has been ridiculous.

Very true. My dad works for CPS and they tried to "reassign" him this year without an open, paid position because he's eligible for his pension next year.

I've thought of going back to school for an MBA (I'm 25), but I know many people my age who have returned to school for one, and I hear stories like yours frequently....

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Rewind4

Very true. My dad works for CPS and they tried to "reassign" him this year without an open, paid position because he's eligible for his pension next year.

I've thought of going back to school for an MBA (I'm 25), but I know many people my age who have returned to school for one, and I hear stories like yours frequently....

Unless you can get your company to pay for it, that's a huge risk. I thought about possibly getting an MBA, but decided against it unless my career brought me to a place where it was useful and needed.

[Rewind4]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

Unless you can get your company to pay for it, that's a huge risk. I thought about possibly getting an MBA, but decided against it unless my career brought me to a place where it was useful and needed.

My job gives about 5k a year towards "business-related" courses, but it's refunded to you at the end of the year like many other jobs. Now, I'm not that crazy about being in the world of business until I'm 65...dunno what to do.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Rewind4

My job gives about 5k a year towards "business-related" courses, but it's refunded to you at the end of the year like many other jobs. Now, I'm not that crazy about being in the world of business until I'm 65...dunno what to do.

That's pretty awesome, still. My company won't pay for an MBA, but they are paying for my apics CPIM and CSCP certifications, which is still about $12k that's not coming out of my pocket. I feel very fortunate in that sense.

As far as being in business, that's a personal decision. Sometimes you have to find an aspect of it that really appeals to you. For me, marketing and project management seem very boring and sterile. I got into manufacturing and operations and it's been awesome so far. Not a dull day in my life, and new problems and situations keep my mind sharp. You didn't say what your undergrad degree was in, but if it's in business, who knows how else you can transfer those skills over. It's up to you.