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Time to Regroup; UE Extension Ends 12/29 - PennyMT
Posted: Nov 18, 2012
I am almost 50 and have been in the MT field for over 25 years. Certified, consultant, national sales rep, own company -- did all that and sold the T-shirts too. Finally the stress of being an MTSO adversely affected my health so I resumed just being a regular ole MT. That's a tangent, though...
In the last 3 years, two hospital employers outsourced the MT Dept. Of course, both times we were ineligible for unemployment. I went to work for a service who laid me off, and I drew UE benefits. The county enrolled me in a program to be retrained for a new career. I have been in the paralegal program of a local community college and have a 4.0 GPA. Unfortunately, the federal unemployment extension runs out at the end of this year. Most folks drew unemployment on the extension for about 3 years; I was on it for a total of 9 months and 2 semesters. Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles and I'm not here to whine.
At any rate, I have to come up with a new game plan that will allow me to stay in school. My city is terribly economically depressed, and one is lucky to get a job here at $12 per hour. I need to clear $12 per hour and work a 20-hour week for income stability. If I exceed that amount, my Pell grant will be decreased. Anything less than that, and I will not be able to pay the bills. Working FT and attending school FT (FT is required for Pell grant) would be suicidal at my age (I interviewed 6 classmates this morning; they all advised against it) and probably compromise my GPA and would of course also decrease my Pell award.
Should I try to pick up a PT MT job? That is what my experience is in, and I have never had a problem getting on. Plus the pay rate is higher. OTOH, with MT doing the death rattle I will just be looking for work again relatively soon....
Just thought I'd throw this out there to elicit thoughts of anyone reading this who may be in my shoes....
Penny
PennyMT - sm
[ In Reply To ..]I am in your exact same situation and I have no idea what I am going to do. I am only collecting partial UE, but I need it to get through school. This is the first and only time I have ever collected in my life (like you, I am just under 50).
The last time I spoke to a rep at UE, they did say to keep checking back because the laws change often. I guess we can only hope that President Obama changes the law/UE extension benefits? Otherwise, I have no idea how I am going to be able to continue to pay for tuition. Good luck to us both!
Thanks - PennyMT
[ In Reply To ..]Thanks for your reply and thoughts.
Taking out a student loan is an option, but I would really prefer not to. Repayment plus interest -- no matter what the job market looks like then -- plus it's now the feds doing the collection, not the banks. That's all I need, having the IRS hounding me.
If the law is changed it will be done by Congress unless BO signs an EO. That isn't likely, but then again he has been EO-happy since assuming office so who knows?! At any rate, I'm not holding my breath and am pressing on presuming that it will stand as it is now.
Yes, good luck to us both! We definitely need it, not only in this economy but also because of our age.
Take care.
The Dept of Education handles the loans - Sue
[ In Reply To ..]I don't think anyone would take out a student loan if they had to answer to the IRS!! ;-)
I'm paying 8.5% (my daughter's loan--she needed 2, we each took out one). You don't have to start paying until 6 months (I think??? maybe 3?) after graduating.
and interest is tax-deductable btw (speaking of IRS) - Sue (nm)
[ In Reply To ..]x
.. and the IRS collects 'em! - PennyMT
[ In Reply To ..]The IRS does the collections and WILL seize your property and other assets as necessary to secure repayment (see link).
I have no intention of defaulting. I also have no desire to take one/some out. They will be an absolute last resort.
The state of the economy is a huge factor. Since our current president is a Keynesian (no, not Kenyan; you can look Keynesian up), we will probably be much worse off in another year and a half than we are right now.
I'm sorry - Sue
[ In Reply To ..]My intention was not to misinform. I didn't realize you were referring to default when you mentioned student loan in your original post. My crystal ball must be on the blink.
Penny - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]I wish I knew what advice to give you in regard to the MT job, I'm 58 and my employer recently outsourced our department. With the exception of a couple of people, we all got placed in other positions within the company. I'm considered full-time temporary now so I may be looking again myself in a few months, hopefully not. I did want to ask why you weren't eligible for UE when your hospital outsourced, wouldn't that be considered a layoff, I know it was for us. You asked about picking up a PT MT job - that is an option, or maybe you could work as a temp (register with agency) or maybe even PT at an attorney's office since you are in a paralegal program. Does the local court need clerks? Quite a few places have paid internships. I don't know if any of this helps. I worked FT and went to school and it was very difficult, your classmates gave you good advice in that regard. Anyway, good luck, I hope everything works out for the best.
Anonymous-- - PennyMT
[ In Reply To ..]Thank you for your reply, Anonymous.
Both times we were outsourced we were offered jobs with the new slave company. So, according to the state, "We had jobs!" That rendered us not unemployed so not eligible. It was all very discouraging.
I am looking for something in the legal field, but it appears that most of these jobs are not for newbies. It is probably the market here; as I said, it is very bleak. A friend of mine has some atty. friends and was trying to get me some work while his friend's secretary was off; however, the guy was so tight that rather than pay someone he preferred to let the work just pile up until she returned.
The clerk gig might be worth pursuing.
Thanks again for your post.
Slave company - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]Going to work for the outsource company was not an option for us when our jobs ended because we are the wrong nationality. You might have had jobs with the new "slave company" but should have at least been eligible for partial UE due to the lost wages I am sure you experienced. Anyway, I don't think it's the job market only where you are, it's a scary time for everyone. Again, good luck, hopefully things will fall into place for you soon.
Did you check on scholarships that might be offered at the CC? - IAMT
[ In Reply To ..]I had a family member that attended our local CC and he talked to financial aid office who told him most scholarships go unclaimed, applied using one application to all that applied to him and his program and obtained two. I looked at the college website once while I was attending and found a link to all of their scholarships provided by individuals and corporations and there were quite a few. Their website gave directions on dates to apply and the descriptions of all and their requirements (with your GPA you would qualify) the application form associated with the particular program. I think they ranged from $500 to $2000 a semester.
There are also jobs I find working from home doing legal transcription (just like MT positions with MTSOs) for companies on job boards and that would also be something you could eventually put on your resume for legal.
Regardless, I certainly wish you the best and hope everything works out for you.
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