You need to do what's best for you Hun.

I agree with invisible, You've gotta do is going to help you. Is it just what your mom says that's holding you back? My guess is she'd get over it, you're an adult and have a right to make your own decisions.

What my mom thinks is that because of my past history with depression, she sees it as laziness and feels that if I move to where my boyfriend is then I would get complacent there as well.

I am going to say this which as much kindness as possible.

A lot of graduates cannot find work in their field. That does not mean your degree is invalid. It is highly redeemable. Also .. times are tough now .. but will not always be. i.e. if Romney is elected .. supposedly that Canadian pipeline will be approved .. and the jobs (for that) should make a good size bang. What I am saying is do not 'retire' that degree .. instead ... enhance it.

I also encourage the jobless to look for and take (just about) anything they can find. That may be a good suggestion for you too, but welding? I don't think so. Once you get your certificate .. then you have to find a welding job ... not easy for a rookie ... AND ..all the 'guys' will (likely though not necessarily) laugh you out of the profession. Let's put it this way .. very few women in the profession .. for SOME kind of reason. You need to think about this. It would SURE go well with building a pipeline .. but I really think your gender will hinder.
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I think you should move out from living with your Mom .. you sound quite miserable there.

You are VERY considerate to not heap this on BF.

Living w/ boyfriend MAY work for you ...and continuing school is not a bad idea.

Taking a LOAN .. very bad idea. How expensiveis a community college these days??

With a BOS in Engineering .. perhaps a math class, or something that will invigorate your resume that is more 'engineering' than craft.

As for Mom ... she MAY have a point. Look what depression is doing to you now ...imagine if same thing happens after all the moving, enrolling, classes, job seeking etc. Sounds to me like a protective Mother ... and frankly, SOME of your 'plan' is a stretch.

I don't know where you are .. but it sounds like a post in Antarctica or in the middle of a desert. Right now .. you don't need friends as much as you need a substantial income. If you are SURE there is nothing there for you, then you HAVE to leave. 1 + 1 = 2 ... location + no job = change location.

Sooo, .. are you getting medical treatment for depression? Is it working (does not sound like it)? Could you continue it if you move?

I think you are SOOOO unhappy, you are not thinking things through enough to have a GOOD plan ... and the plan you have may very well fail.

Thank you wandering vet. You gave me a little smile. Engineering still, in it self, is a mans feild so welding wouldn't descrimenate. It has lightned up these past couple of years though. The job market hasn't. Thank you for your advice. I might just go back to college and take some technical classes.

I don't think you should listen to your mom since it sounds like you have another option. She may be upset at first, but being around your boyfriend and away from her for awhile should help.

I'm not really sure what I can say about civil engineering because I know very little about it, but I can say this:

If it helps you feel any better, I really don't have much of a life and virtually no friends outside of DS either; you are not alone there.

Do it! It's your life and you have to do what's best for you. Your mum will just have to adjust to that idea. It sounds like your boyfriend is much more supportive for you.

My sister is an engineer and although she has encountered a little attitude from the men when she was doing her degree. Her coworkers go to her for a different perspective. Managers and higher up staff a thankful for her because she has the dedication and people skills that many of her male counterparts lack. Women have a lot to offer in engineering. Don't give up, and don't let any small minded men make you feel like you're not as good as them in any field. Girls that go into engineering tend to be a lot more rounded in their personal and communication skills, as well as an ability to better see the bigger picture rather than the small task at hand.

I do agree with WV about the loan though. It's best not to get yourself into any financial situations that have the potential to affect your future. I know, I have a credit card debt from when I was 21 which I'm still struggling to pay off three years later. It's put my life on hold, I wont be able to get a mortgage for years and I can't build up my savings because it's all going into paying off the debt.

A part time job, and maybe some volunteer experience to bulk up your resume sounds like a good option. Going out and doing those things also gives you the opportunity to meet new people.

Depression does suck, but we can find in ourselves the strength to take the control back!

Good luck!

you graduated from college, so you must be about 22. YOU ARE AN ADULT! YOU DON'T NEED MOMMY TO RUN YOUR LIFE. Boyfriend sounds like a good idea, except see what he says about living with him for awhile (he could throw you out also)....Jobs are bad all over...you need a plan...and then GO.