A few thoughts of how I'll shape my future

I guess it's not a big secret that the economy sucks right now. It's shot in the US with massive layoffs expected this year and last year's being history. It's not too much better anywhere else. I used to think that it doesn't affect me too much because I went to college and I'm not interested in the financial sector, but everything seems to have gotten hit or I'm just too stupid to figure out where the jobs are. I've looked on Dice.com, Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, and some other websites and sent out a lot of applictions with resume, cover letter, references....and heard back only from a handful of them. I mean, I don't even really get interviews. So far I've been only able to interview at Eagle Creek Software Services and Hollister Co. and have gotten rejections (at best!) from all other places.

Granted, once in a while I get contacted by financial institutions or insurance companies with inquiries as to whether I want to sell insurance or financial services, but honestly, I'm not. I'm not a sales person per se, and I would not enjoy a career in sales whatsoever. Retail is a different story, but I don't want to do cold calling or go to places to try to sell them stuff. It's just not me.

So, here are three scenarios with things that I can do in terms of work in the future:

Hollister Co

If I get the job there against all odds, I'll be working there for a year. Good. It doesn't pay much, but I really want the job because I think it'd be fun and it's terrific experience. I can see myself doing that in the future and moving up within the company. Next year, I could ask them to transfer me to one of the UK or Canadian stores. I can work without any restrictions in any EU country (including England). Canada is also pretty open to immigrants.

My dad pointed at Canada a few weeks ago and I went on to look at their requirements. All I need I've got, pretty much. I'm just missing at least 1 year of work experience and a job offer there, which I would have if Hollister wanted to transfer me. Alternatively, I could go back to school in a year for a master's in, say, leadership (not MBA though), and work part-time during the semester at Hollister Co and full-time during break in compliance with the US immigration law.

French Foreign Legion

I've looked at this option a few times throughout last year and have looked into a military career for the last 5 years.

Since I can't join the Marine Corps, and I don't want to end up in Germany (the Bundeswehr is not really getting used), and since I'd want to be in combat if I'm in the military, the FFL is a good option.

"Whether restoring or keeping the peace, or exercising crowd control, the Legion has been able to adapt to all situations in all theatres of conflict (the Gulf War of 1990-1991; Kampuchea, Somalia in 1992-1993; Rwanda in 1994; Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia in 1993 to 2003; Central African Republic in 1996...)"

It's challenging both physically and mentally. It's a 5 year contract with most of it being in deployment in exotic places like the Ivory Coast or French Guinea. If I survive (and the odds aren't bad), I'd be fluent in French in addition to English and German, be in good shape, and have significant military experience. I could either reinlist or go private and become a contractor doing security in some other warzone.

Contractors get paid nicely (some $120,000 a year). Alternatively I could become a personal trainer and make some good income that way. Heck, after 5 years in the jungle I better be in good shape.

I decided that I'm going to look into the FFL again in November this year to make my decision whether I'll apply or not. The parents, of course, hate the idea, and have pointed at jobs in Germany, New Zealand, and Canada as civilian alternatives.

School

Lastly, I could get lucky and find a job in a software company doing webdesign or so and keep doing that part-time next year while going back to school for a Bachelor of Science in, say, Java or so. Technology is always a safe bet and I'm starting to think that I should have gone for that in the first place, but I can't change what happened now. With a degree in management and CompSci I'd also be an attractive candidate for any business analyst position that is exposed to IT. Besides retail store management and a military career, this is what I'd be most interested in. I'm currently looking at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities for the BS in CompSci since it's a school around here and I'd like to stay here and because it's a good program for a good price. I just have no idea yet how I'd finance it if I don't find something (well-paying) soon because I still owe the grandparents and bank some $$$, which I would like to pay back at some point :-)

Does anyone have any idea where else I should look for jobs or what I should do??

Any comments and guidance would be much appreciated!

Johnny