Five years ago I was in a situation where I wanted to change careers so badly. I had worked the same shitty job for over 20 years. The benefits were decent, but the working conditions were horrible and the pay was just mediocre. Then they announced they were going to begin drug testing. I had no special work skills other than for that job, but did have some cash saved up. I quit my job and decided to go back to school, becoming a forty-something year old student. I own my car, but am still making mortgage payments on my house. Since I had worked my previous job for so long I was at the top of the pay scale for what I did and there was no way I could find another job that would pay me enough from the start to allow me to afford my house. I absolutely had to graduate from school and get a job before I ran out of cash.
It was 5 years ago when I quit my job. Right now I am almost completly out of money. Been mowing lawns in the summer just to make it this far. I finished school 2 1/2 years ago. Learned IT in school, but couldn't even get an interview with no on-the-job experience. A year ago I landed a spot as an intern, which paid me zero. I've been there ever since. They love the work I do for them, but I still can't seem to get an interview.
Three weeks ago, the place I where I was doing my intern work hired me. They actually created a new permanent position because they didn't want to lose me. Now my working conditions and benefits are excellent. I don't know if they are feeliing guilty about not paying me for a year, but now they're paying me like a 10 year veteran in the field. It's almost twice as much as I've ever made before. Since they just hired me, I haven't had enough time to enjoy my newfound financial freedom yet, but it looks like this risk was well worth it.
Oh yea, one more thing.....this place doesn't drug test.