Depressed and Jobless

Hey all. I didn't really want to post this anywhere else b/c this is the only board that I ever go to, so I apologize in advance if this isn't on-topic, but I need to talk to someone.
I graduated in May with a Masters from a really good school but with a completely useless, super-academic degree. I have been looking for a job since before I graduated and have had no luck. I have been on a couple interviews but they did not go well. I went on one interview that did go really well, and I emailed them while on vacation with my family when I hadn't gotten a response. They sent me back a really positive email apologizing for not getting back and saying they had really liked me but they didn't know whether they would be expanding the program enough to hire me. However, the email they sent was so positive that I got my hopes up, then a week later I got an email saying they would not be expanding and couldn't hire me. After this, I started getting really depressed. Now I am back from vacation and back in NYC and I just feel awful. Most of the other jobs I interviewed for where Americorps jobs, meaning they weren't technically "real" jobs but service opportunities, which means they are more lax on hiring standards. The thing is, is that those jobs are pretty much all taken now, so I have to start looking exclusively for real jobs and not Americorps jobs. I am getting SO depressed, feeling hopeless and stupid and useless. I want to go back to school for social work, but I can't even start applying until the fall so I will have to wait another year until I go back to school. And even then, I need to take a couple psych classes at Hunter College, and they haven't gotten back to me as to whether I've been accepted as a non-degree student or not. I just feel like I am in a long deep dark tunnel with no way out. I hate feeling so useless, especially b/c my friends (they are all older than me but still) got practical MA degrees and pretty much all have jobs.
I also know that sooner or later I am going to run out of money, but I am to the point where I don't even care that much because I just feel so horrible and hopeless. I know that if I run out of money and don't have enough to pay my rent I might have to go back to stripping, which I don't want to do, and especially not in New York, where the phsysical standards are so much higher and you have to pay the clubs a ton of money to work, and especially not when I am this depressed. I would even do volunteer work right now just to get out of the house and feel useful, so I emailed some places today but they didn't get back to me.
Sorry for venting all this. I haven't seen my T for a month, I will see her on Friday though for a double session. I was on vacation and now she is on vacation so I don't want to email her, and I figure I will see her on Friday so I can wait to talk to her, especially b/c I already sent her a couple emails the past couple weeks so I don't want to seem too needy. But I don't really have anyone to talk to about this. I don't think my friends know how depressed I am, or maybe it is hard to express it to them, I don't know. I just needed to write this and ask for support because I am feeling really low right now, I think the lowest I've felt in two years since I moved to the city. I just don't know what to do and I feel so completely hopeless.

Trigger:
Sometimes I have suicidal ideation when I get really depressed, which I am feeling now. It is hard feeling this way because you do feel like there is no way out. I don't think I would actually do anything but I remember having these feelings two years ago when I first moved here.

Sorry to hear things are so tough.

Hey,

Sorry you are having such a bad go of it right now. I'm job searching right now too, so I feel you on that.

I definitely think doing something, even volunteering, would be good. It also looks nice on a resume, although maybe not for academic jobs.

I've done AmeriCorps, and I have to say it was one of the best years of my life. I did their NCCC program which has both fall and winter starts, so you might still be able to apply for a winter program. If you really want to do social work, NCCC is definitely a good place to start. I met a lot of people pursuing that course.

Good luck.

I'm jobeless in the city too. Don't give up hope, jobs pop up when you least expect it...at least myast one did. I'm sorry your feeling so bad.

It is tough right now. Please try to keep your chin up. Easier said than done. Do not get discouraged...

Franki,
I am sorry things are so tough right now. I know that trying to find a job can be really draining. Have you been to any career classes at the workforce center in your area? They can be really helpful. They have all sorts of tools and networking you can use. Heck, maybe you could work there? I would have liked too except my degree is in medical so no go. I'm glad your t is coming back and you have a double apt with her on Friday. I hope she can help you.

Thanks for the support guys. I am going to try and get my butt out of bed and look for some jobs again. It is just hard when I feel like this and I feel like I keep sinking deeper and deeper into these bad feelings. I can't wait until I see my T on Friday, hopefully she can help.

((((((((franki j)))))))))))

Apply for a job at one of the universities you want to go to (here's some of Hunter's opportunities):

http://hr.hunter.cuny.edu/jobs/adminjobs.html

There's even one in Hunter's social work department; that would look good on a resume for getting into social work school there or elsewhere!

I'm so sorry you are going through this, and I hope you feel better soon. I know it's tough. I too have a Master's Degree, but I wish, in my case, I hadn't spent the time and money! I too am unemployed, and I know how difficult it is. I know how it can drain your energy, and the situation can fool you into thinking negative things about yourself. Don't believe those thoughts! You are the same person with the same wonderful qualities, with OR without a job.

So many people find themselves unemployed, and it is NOT your fault. It is hard not to feel depressed, etc. - but keep your head up, and remember your worth and value as a person.

Keep job hunting, and don't give up. I Know it's so hard, and some days you feel so negative, but please keep trying.

I hope your T helps, mine did in terms of being unemployed, helping me to come up with solutions, etc. Continue to reach for help and support. It truly does make a difference.

I certainly hope you feel better soon. Keep trying, my friend. Keep trying!