Job search depression

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
Job search depression
4
Thu, 08-27-2009 - 2:29pm

I'm one of the many '09 law grads awaiting on Bar results. The legal field has taken a hit! My area (NJ/NYC) has been particularly hit hard AND there is now an OVER-supply of lawyers (recent grads plus all the Biglaw laid-off attorneys).


When I was granted the deferment on my federal loans, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. But now, the private loans are coming due and while I can get a forebearance on that, I would lose time from my total allotment over the life of the loan. I did the math and realized that I have enough in my checking account and savings account to make the minimum payment of the private loans for this year only. So worse come to worse, I can at least pay this year even without a job.


The stress of unemployment, pending loan payment, no health insurance thus out-of-pocket payment for new contacts and an eye exam (put both things off for a year in part to save money) that must be done soon is starting to take a toll on me.


For the past couple of days, I have found myself unable to sleep or stay asleep (not like regular insomnia - and I've been an insomniac for years) because these issues have been going through my head.


I know the job market is tough but for me I have the extra challenge of finding a job that I can commute by public transportation. Given that I'm visually impaired in that I lack enough depth perception, driving at night is really challenging and although the few accidents I've gotten into were in the daytime, it is risky. I can handle driving later in the evening during the summer but not in the fall or winter and it's already starting to get dark before 8 p.m. Maybe I'm jumping the gun a little by thinking about getting to work without first getting the job but I don't want to take the risk that one day I wouldn't be able to get to work b/c of this issue. Employers may tolerate car trouble but not this.


I wish I could relocate (I'd even be willing to take the Bar exam in another state) but outside NJ, not many states have state-wide public transportation outside metropolitan areas (cities).


I know I've only been at this for a few weeks and unlike the college grad suing her college after 3 mos of searching, I'm not giving up nor doing that (although a tuition refund would be nice). But I am getting frustrated. I'm even willing to work part-time in the legal field, volunteer/intern part-time and then also work a non-legal field job (i.e. retail, cashier) in order to stay busy and earn extra $$.


I just needed to vent.  Thanks for listening.


Benita

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2009
Thu, 08-27-2009 - 3:22pm

Hi, Benita - I'm from NJ, too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
Fri, 08-28-2009 - 4:00pm

Hi Deb,


Thanks for your response and suggestion.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2009
Fri, 08-28-2009 - 7:12pm
No, it's the same site.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2005
Mon, 08-31-2009 - 2:14pm

Hey Benita! Welcome to DS. I totally relate to having depression related to the job search. I was out of work for

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