<prompt> Human: I work in oil and gas, and somehow Ive survived this long but theres a large scale redundancy coming down the line. My predicament is kind of different from my colleagues, Im not a degree qualified engineer. I work alongside the engineers but I started with this company 13 years ago as an assistant and worked my way through the company.. I know nothing else but this company. I always knew moving around companies would increase my wage and give me more experience but Ive always felt a loyalty to my current company as they have always been good to me. Anyway, I now work in a climate where a degree is pretty much required to be considered for any job... And I have 13 years experience but no degree... So Im freaking out that whenif I get made redundant that Ill be flipping burgers at wendys. My financial situation is something like this, after cutting costs and getting it down as low as realistically possible:2300 per month outgoing goes to mortgage, bills, insurance, gas, food, etc. thats for both myself and my wife, my wife is a full time student who tutors and can provide a little money per month but nothing significant. I have 26k in my 401k, I have about 21k in my current account, I have about 8k in stocks that cant be liquidated until 2018, and I have about 30k in equity in an overseas property that I could try and get if I wanted to sell the property doesnt actually make me money right now as the market is depressed, however it covers the mortgage on the property . Im starting to list things I can sell that are luxuries and I dont really need, hopefully I can net at least 2k from this. I have employment insurance which should pay me some form of money should I lose my job Im not sure how much, probably not a significant amount however. And Im not eligible for employment benefits in the USA as I am a green card holder and not a citizen yet you have to have 10 years of green card status to be eligible. Anyway, long story short: Im trying not to freak out and lose my shit.. I just wanted to come here for any further advice on what I can do with my specific situation other than worry myself to death until the bullet comes.  <response>: 13 years of experience is nothing to scoff at man. Have you started looking at other jobs? How do you know youre part of that downsizing? Dont freak out before anything happens and just prepare yourself. Get your resumecover letters spruced up and highlight your experience. Im in a completely different industry and have a degree in Computer Science, but I always follow the mindset of, if a company isnt going to hire an experienced developer because of a lack of degree, thats not some place Id want to work. That said, keep your chin up and stay positive, you got this. 