I'm in a bit of a quandary...

[wilde_oscar]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Mindy,

Check with the Mass department of unemployment, I believe there is a certain amount you can earn (beyond unemployment) at a P-T job before your unemployment benefits are reduced. I did this back in 2001 ... I worked P-T for the Disney Gallery/Store in Natick. I was able to earn a little more and not change my unemployment compensation.

CVS might work into your plan since the first 90 days sounds like P-T hours. Good luck.

Bill

Thanks, Bill...I'll check into that right now.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Okay, so here's the deal...

According to the Dept. of Unemployment, at the rate I'd be collecting and the rate I'd be paid by CVS, I'd be allowed to work 9.9 hours per week at CVS before they start taking benefits out of my unemployment check. Even if I had to work a few more hours, I could still collect and work...provided I don't work more than a few hours. That way, I could see if I like the job, see if the employer likes me, and take NO risk with my benefits!

I'll present that option to CVS and see if they go for it. Thanks, Bill! And THANK YOU to everyone who offered ideas, opinions, and support...you have no idea how much easier you all made this for me!

 

[BilltM]

Okay, so here's the deal...

According to the Dept. of Unemployment, at the rate I'd be collecting and the rate I'd be paid by CVS, I'd be allowed to work 9.9 hours per week at CVS before they start taking benefits out of my unemployment check. Even if I had to work a few more hours, I could still collect and work...provided I don't work more than a few hours. That way, I could see if I like the job, see if the employer likes me, and take NO risk with my benefits!

I'll present that option to CVS and see if they go for it. Thanks, Bill! And THANK YOU to everyone who offered ideas, opinions, and support...you have no idea how much easier you all made this for me!

I hope you can benefit. WOW, less than 15 minutes with the Unemployment office. That's quick for MA.

Bill

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I actually looked it up on the FAQ site...

 

[drakethib]

Here is my 2 cents.

1. I would go with CVS. The holidays are coming up and I am pretty sure there will plenty of hours for work during the holidays.

2. I heave heard CVS employees get a 20% discount of most of the store items. (Nice savings there).

3. No college degree? I know several who don't have one and are making good money. I know one guy who made about $250k last year with no degree.

4. You seem to have a great personality and a people person. I think you would move up quickly in the company.

5. Depending on unemployment every year to me is not a good thing. It could be gone or limited in the near future. Honestly, I just don't think that is what unemployment benefits are set for to maintain an income repetitively (I may get flamed but that is just my thoughts).

6. They have CVS stores all over the place so you may be able to work at different locations for a change of scenery.

Either way you go we wish you the best !

 

[OKW Lover]

Here's another suggestion; move to Orlando for the winter and get a job with the mouse! Surely with your garden center experience you can leverage that into a good spot at WDW either in the horticulture area or in retail management.

Not that I'm trying to get you out of town or anything.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Here's another suggestion; move to Orlando for the winter and get a job with the mouse! Surely with your garden center experience you can leverage that into a good spot at WDW either in the horticulture area or in retail management.

Not that I'm trying to get you out of town or anything.

Oh, believe me, Jeff, that is definitely in the cards for the future! Right now I've got these 2 college kids I've promised to provide a home for, at least until they can get a great job and support me!

Did I tell you my DD promised me a Winnebago????

Wait a minute...I think SHE'S trying to get me out of town....

 

[pooh4me]

You have really been given some great answers. I would like to suggest one more. With your background I would put my app in at all the larger garden centers in the area even if they are not hiring right now. I spent years in retail and there were always places for good people, they were not turned away to go to someplace else. Most of the larger places have very good benefits and perks. Stick with something you love, It makes life better.

 

[msteddom]

Dear Mindy,
It sounds like you have received some wonderful advice so far! My question to you is: Would you enjoy working at CVS? There is nothing more soul-sucking (hyphen or no? Can't decide...) than working a job you hate. It sounds like you can give this job a try and see if you enjoy it, but don't get trapped into something you can't stand because you feel like you have no other options. Good luck with your decision!

Melissa

 

[DebºoºS]

Dittos to all the great advice you've recieved so far. Personally I'd go for the CVS job. The economy is getting worse daily and if we go into the recession they're talking about the garden center may not survive. Besides you know if they do make it they'll be begging you to come back. Spring in full swing will be all he needs to turn the keys over to youBy then you'll know if you even like the CVS job.

 

[mommyceratops]

I didn't read through all the responses... My computer is to slow...

But I just went back to work and I hate it...it takes to much time away from the Dis...

 

[DVCJones]

Mindy,
Have you considered applying for jobs at a college or university? I don't know you , but here is what I am thinking based on what I do know about you from reading above.

Some colleges and universities allow their employees (and in some cases, their dependents) to take classes for free. Given your skills in the garden center, it might be possible for you to find a job in land care at a local college or university without having a college degree.

If you do "land" a job at a college or university, it might help both you and your college aged kids if tuition can be waived for all of you. Again, it varies from college to college.

I hope everything works out for you.
Jason

This is a great idea!!! I am currently in a graduate program and paying big bucks to do so. However, there are 5 people in my cohort who are going for free due to the fact they are employed by the college. Their jobs on campus are things like security, graphic design, resident directors and a custodian. It is worth looking into. I jokingly (okay maybe 1/2 jokingly) told my DH he should get a job there doing security so that I could go for free too.

Good luck!!!

 

[extravaganzamom]

I wish you all the best for your future. I have two daughters who are state and nationally certified pharm techs who are currently lead techs in different CVS pharmacies. They have worked for CVS for the past seven years. While they have not always been crazy about their jobs, they are very happy with the security of it during this time of national economic crisis. The job of pharm techs does take some time to learn (lots of medicines and generics to learn) and dealing with sick customers does take patience and people skills. I also heard from one of my girls that if she were interested in getting another job all she would have to do is work at least once a month for CVS in order to stay on their payroll!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I wish you all the best for your future. I have two daughters who are state and nationally certified pharm techs who are currently lead techs in different CVS pharmacies. They have worked for CVS for the past seven years. While they have not always been crazy about their jobs, they are very happy with the security of it during this time of national economic crisis. The job of pharm techs does take some time to learn (lots of medicines and generics to learn) and dealing with sick customers does take patience and people skills. I also heard from one of my girls that if she were interested in getting another job all she would have to do is work at least once a month for CVS in order to stay on their payroll!

I had been a pharm tech for 12 years in a hospital pharmacy. I've never done pharm tech in a retail pharmacy, though. I've already taken the practice certification test online to see if I could still be certified (it's been 13 years since I've done pharmacy), and I passed that fine. I can most certainly do the work. There are only a few new meds that I'd need to learn.

But it's certainly good to know that CVS is a good company to work for, or at least a secure company. I've worked for big retail chains before, and usually hate it...but I'm hoping this one will be different, a better fit.

 

[mejkjj97]

Hello Mindy

I just saw your post this morning and I was going to give you the same advise as Bill. I have a lot of friends that have just been layed off and were going looking to see if they could work some hours and still collect unemployment and said it is possible. We are just keeping our fingers cross here. I work at Fidelity and my department just layoff 7% of the work force and there is another round in Q1 of 2009. It is just a scary time but you need to do what is right for your family.
I wish you the best for which ever you choose. My husband and I have been there also when he decided to make a career change and go back to school while I was expecting a child. I know it is not the same but I can sympathize.
I am a firm believer that everything will work out for the best even if it doesn't seem that way right now.