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I am tired of these sob stories, you took out the loans so don't cry when time to pay

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ I am tired of these sob stories, you took out the loans so don't cry when time to pay
Red_Skin_Pride's avatar

Red_Skin_Pride

Senior Member

1,226 posts
Jun 3, 2010 1:55 AM
jmog;376727 wrote:Red Skin Pride-You know there are "financial hardship deferments" to put off paying for awhile on student loans right?

Yes I do, and I have looked into that in the past few months, but have basically been told by the people who control the stafford loan repayments (both sub and unsub) that I make enough money, barely, based on my tax returns from last year, that I have to pay back minimum amounts. I applied for deferments and was turned down based on that reason. Which is ok, I'd rather get it started now than wait and have more interest accrue...I just wish I were able to find a career that allows me to have benefits while I'm paying back my student loans. I don't have health or dental insurance as of right now, and until I can find a job that offers benefits (even if I have to wait for a year after I'm hired, I'd be ok with that), I'm not going to be able to afford rent, utilities, loan repayment, and health/dental insurance out of pocket with the 2 jobs I have now. I work as much as both jobs will let me (around 47-50 hours per week) and it's just not feasable. I could do it, if I didn't have to eat or put gas in my car lol. I've been applying for "better" jobs to try and improve my situation, with little luck, but I haven't given up yet!!
Jun 3, 2010 1:55am
Red_Skin_Pride's avatar

Red_Skin_Pride

Senior Member

1,226 posts
Jun 3, 2010 2:01 AM
Writerbuckeye;376582 wrote:I sympathize deeply with your problem, having worked all my career in your field. That said, you DO have options now, just not as many and certainly different (and probably ones that don't pay as well...although a beginning journalist generally makes crap money.)

I have to assume you've checked out New media sites and tried to work into a job that way. It's probably every bit as competitive or worse now because of how badly newspapers, in particular, are failing. You almost have to start small (blogging, etc.) and find a niche so what you are providing is valuable to somebody and they want to pay you.

When I got my journalism/communications degree from BG, I did so in education, so that teaching was a fallback option for me. It's not that I wanted to teach as a first choice, but it was something I found interesting and felt could enjoy as a career.

If you're going to go back to school, I'd probably think about teaching as one option with what you've already put into your education. Until the media market stabilizes and figures out how to make a profit in the Internet age, I don't see newspapering getting any better. In fact, I see it getting worse, especially for smaller markets.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck. I hate to see what's happening in journalism today (its death knell in so many cases). Again, good luck. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Yes, I have checked into almost every end of new media that I can, and I'm awaiting a reply for a position that's just what you suggested. It's a blog for small, independent website, and it only pays on an "as needed" basis, but at this point I've realized that I have to start with whatever I can (I've even done some writing without getting paid, just to build my resume a little) to increase my attractiveness to potential "bigger" employers.

As for the teaching option, I'm not going back to school as of right now (I've toyed with the idea, and it may change eventually, but as I stated in my original post I would really rather avoid more debt)...but I also have looked into substitute teaching, just a source of income when I can. It's really pretty easy to get certified to sub. I've never been all too keen on teaching, because I'm not terribly fond of kids, and in my writing I can communicate very clearly my thoughts, but as an instructor I think I would not be very good. I appreciate your advice, I've been trying to listen to everyone I can to get myself into a little better situation, sooner rather than later!
Jun 3, 2010 2:01am
C

captain_obvious

Member

82 posts
Jun 3, 2010 9:34 AM
You should look into Major Medical insurance to at least cover you in case of a catastrophe. I actually prefer it to my current employers plan that they pay 75% of.

Great to hear you are looking into other avenues. Maybe you can start your own blog and we will all check into it once a day and hit on your google ads for you.
Jun 3, 2010 9:34am
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Jun 3, 2010 9:42 AM
Interesting article here:

http://bayarearealestatetrends.com/2010/06/the-next-generation-of-home-buyers-has-too-much-college-debt/?source=patrick.net

This is why the issue affects ALL of us. Hopefully my generation (Gen X) won't be as greedy or short-sighted as the Baby Boomers and target how this has happened and how it can be addressed. If these young people are saddled with debt, it is going to affect their ability to be productive citizens, not just for themselves but for the rest of society. To the extent entitlements exist by the time I'm old and can't be productive anymore, it is going to be future generations that provide for us.....and they're being boned, big time.
Jun 3, 2010 9:42am