Job Recommendation?? (unemployment, asbestos, school)

[jmana]

Hi all, I am in a little bit of a bind and could really use some advice I have been working in the same field for 7 years, a very specialized field performing asbestos, lead paint, and mold building inspections. I guess I was making too much money, because the company hired a kid fresh out of college, and I trained him for my job, and helped him to get all his licenses. Well, you guessed it, I got laid off and he now has my job This happened in April, and luckily I've been able to collect unemployment the whole time, but now that's about to run out and I don't exactly know what direction to go. When I first was laid off I knew I had some time, so I narrowed my search to the triangle area because I didn't want to move, and I tried to get another job in the same field, but apparently this isn't an in demand job right now. After a few months I figured that I wasn't going to find something in the same field, so I broadened my search to include other jobs I know I could do, but no employer wants to take a chance on an employee who has no direct experience when they have 1,000 people applying for the same position. So recently I have come to the conclusion that I will need to move in order to get the same salary I was getting in the same field, but even that hasn't worked out so well, I have wasted money and time traveling to states all over the east coast but nothing has panned out so far. So now I feel I am back to square one, and it really pisses me off! To make matters worse, I am a full time single dad to a 7 year old, so it's not like I can even work in a restaurant because I would pay more in child care than what I'd make working. I had thought about going back to school, but I have no idea what job will be in demand when I graduate, and I'd hate to spend the time and money for an education that doesn't get me anywhere. Also I don't know where I'd come up with the money to live while I go to school, or who would take care of my son while I try to make some money on the side. So does anyone have a suggestion? Are there any entry level jobs that employers are willing to take a chance in hiring me, and that pay enough to support a dependant? Or should I go back to school, and if so for what? Does anyone know of any financial aid available to single parents? I had looked online and really didn't see anything for people looking to go back to school, other than FAFSA, but that wouldn't provide enough to live on while studying. Well hopefully someone here can advise me

[saturnfan]

Dept of Correction may still be hiring even with freeze.

[coltank]

What about residential inspections?