Okay...everyone is thinking it so I'll just say it (and probably catch flack for it)...GET A JOB! Don't wait for someone to FIND YOU a job...GO GET ONE YOURSELF! Even if it's Taco Bell, IT'S AN INCOME, plus it'll get you out with people, which will ALSO help you out with your low self-esteem and depression. How on earth can you pay off a debt company with ZERO income!?...let alone pay for college! or even RENT (or are you still at home at 23 and living there for nothing?) It sounds to me like your so into your own head, you can't even reason out simple logical answers for yourself. Now before I catch a rift for that, I am bipolar,and am on SSD for it and other issues. I originally started part-time work to help pay bills, but even as I hated hearing it then, now I would have to admit they were right...it has helped me with my depression and social skills, as well as meeting new people (some of which I am grateful to know)
A also suggest seeing a good Shrink (I'm not a big believer in therapists...a complete waste of time and money in my experiences) to help you work out whatever issues you have. (It was one of the best things I ever did for my own recovery!)

I agree get ANY job you can. If it's a dog walker, a groomer, McDonalds, anywhere that anyone will hire you with our withOUT experience. Min. Wage is better then NO wage. Every single day that you CHOOSE to do NOTHING you ARE making it worse. I question how you live with a roof over your head too.. Is it living with friends/family? You should feel some kind of obligation to help them out too. You are old enough to make your own way in life. I commend you on going to school, but honestly you're 24 which means you should be almost done with that.. If not then maybe you need to re-prioritize... If you can't work and go to school then maybe you need to work and go to school later. Student loans can be put off on paying back with financial reasons. I know, I have put mine off for several years. Raising a son with little to no help financially from the ex I qualify for economic hardship from year to year. When my son graduates and lives on his own, I"ll spend the rest of my life paying off my student loans.. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do.. If you leave school in good standing grade wise, and leave the loans in good standing by filing hardship you will be able to get another loan to go back and finish whatever it is that's taking you so long. Someone is paying your way, and you need to know it causes them to struggle too, and what in the world would you do if they weren't here to help you out???

I don't apologize for my comment like the previous poster. Sometimes the truth hurts, but you need to hear it... Get any job you can. It's far better then NO job.

I would start by actively seeking work. Work won't come to you, YOU have to go get it. I know in our area, just walking down the street is see Help Wanted signs all over. They may not be high paying jobs, but it's better than nothing! And just knowing you are doing SOMETHING will help you feel better. Then start paying what you can to your creditors.

I think school loan payments can be deferred until you are done with school and have work and are able to start paying them back.

Start job hunting!

Just letting all of you know that I AM looking for work. Harder than you could even imagine! I've had so many interviews and so many call backs, but my problem is nothing is happening NOW! All of the jobs that I have applied for have shown interest, but they are important jobs and its a long process before you're hired. Its not like McDonalds where you interview, pass a drug test and get the job. My problem is that I don't know how to handle the in between time. I mean if I go out and find some simple job and get hired, what do I do when I find out a week later I got one of the other jobs that pay WAY more and will help move me forward in my career life? I don't think its right to take a job knowing that I won't stay and will have to take days off right off the bat cuz of other job oriented issues I have to do. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place cuz I need money NOW, but the jobs that are working with me told me that it is a long hiring process cuz of the importance of the position. I have to say to the first 2 people who made comments, you were extremely rude and its bad enough I suffer from depression and other mental issues, but to have people on a site that is supposed to be supportive talk to me like I'm stupid really upset me! Perhaps you could've asked if I've been trying to get a job or something, but you simply assumed I wasn't and treated me as if I just sit here waiting for something to fall into my lap! Let's see you out there EVERY DAY searching and applying and interviewing! Think before you talk next time!

You DO take the smaller job until a bigger one comes along. The places that hire you at the interview have high turn over rates, and I think you need to take care of yourself and worry about them (the small job) later. It's simple, work a smaller job for the "in between time" to get you through until the other job comes along. The bigger jobs you are applying for are NOT promised to you, so if you don't get it, at least you've got a job. You choose to work or sit and wait. But that's YOUR choice. You asked what to do and you have been given the answer by several of us here. If you are above working mcd's then sit and wait, if you REALLY need money bad enough you'll take the smaller job. I have a friend that did that, and it wasn't a big deal.
When/IF you get hired by a better place you just simply talk to the manager in private at the smaller place and say I really need to accept this other job offer, better pay they WILL understand.

Apparently none of you are good at reading between the lines. In no way do I feel I'm above working at a place like McDonald's. In fact, I used to work there. All I'm going to say is you seem to be very rude and very ignorant when it comes to seeing what the real problem is. Please do not respond to my questions anymore with your half-ass advice because you're far from right in any way and I will simply report it as abuse at this point!

And Jesus said "There is none so blind as they who will not see."

nmward84, you DO need to accept the smaller job while you wait for the bigger job. This IS the time to be selfish and look out for only yourself. Do not hesitate to take that smaller job and then do not hesitate to quit that job once you get the bigger one. How else do you survive?

Just be sure that when you quit that smaller job, that you show you appreciation to that employer for hiring you - and there is no need to apologize to them. Business is business.

And a lesser paying job doesn't have to mean its a job in the fast food industry - you could be "stocker" in a dept. store, work in a warehouse, on an assembly line - these are all things I've done in the past myself. Temp agencies can also place you quickly in a receptionist position or as a file clerk - lots of different positions out there.

Don't wait for anyone to call you with a position. YOU call them and call constantly until you get something.

Good luck, chin up and get busy out there.

I spent 6 months looking for a job - any job
I was registered with 7 employment agencies
and was looking online -if you don't have a computer, you can use the ones at the library for free. Almost all newspapers have an online edition...I was so frustrated that i accepted a 16 hr a week position and was paid $9.00 an hour by the employment agency. After a few weeks my boss asked me if I wld like to work for them instead and I agreed. I was getting over $ 16.00 an hour then. Now (after 1 yr) I am making even more than that and am working 30+ hours a week. So you never know what will come out of an opportunity.
My main advice to you is to get your foot in the door somewhere and move up from there. I do agree with what most of the others said: It is hard enough to get a job, so don't wait on anybody to find you, cause they won't. Go after it. I am so settled in my job now, that they would not know what to do without me.... Get your foot in and then show them what you can do.

Hi nmward,
This economy is awful, isn't it?? My BF is out of work, and has been looking for over a year.
Could you file for unemployment? Did you quit your last job?
If you quit your last job, you may be able to get unemployment, although, I'm not sure about the details, or if you can get it while you're going to school. I'd look into it.
Don't be too proud to take money from the government. The social programs were put into place for a reason, and if you qualify for any assistance, you should take it. Later, after you get out of school, you can volunteer, or pay extra taxes to pay the government back.
While you are in school, take advantage of the services that they offer there. My university offered free legal counsel for students. Your school may do the same, or offer some other programs that may help you.
I wouldn't rush to declare bankruptcy.
If you don't have any money, there is really not much a debt collector can do other than call you over and over (until you send them a letter asking them to stop), or take you to court. Even if they do take you to court, they can't get money you don't have.
You may be able to get federal work study (I'm not sure if you're going for an undergrad or grad degree...but both can get work study.)
Look for jobs on campus. They are usually the most flexible for students, and will work around your school schedule.
Good luck, and don't worry too much. This economy is bound to pick up sometime.
Take care!