<prompt> Human: Background: I graduated from a big state university in May with a dual major in history and archaeology. Although I know that those fields are pretty worthless as BA degrees, Ive had great internship experience and have a decent resume for a recent graduate. For months I thought I was in line for my dream job different discipline but after talking to the company, waiting and waiting for the business to start up, and feeling like the job was a sure thing, I just found out that they offered the position to somebody else. I was devastated and feel like that was my only chance at getting a job since there are just no archaeology jobs being posted that I actually qualify for, especially since my experience is out of state. Im feeling really, really hopeless and although I was planning on going to grad school in a year or two I dont want to end up at the same spot with even more student debt. The Certificate: My alma mater offers a certificate in GIS and I feel like having that as a supplement to my background in archaeological excavation and survey would make me a much more desirable candidate. I am really tech-savvy and have a basic understanding of GIS already, so I feel like I would definitely be able to do it. Ive looked around a bit and I think that getting this certificate can only help me. I would like to continue on to grad school one day and, though I am not sure about what I want to specialize in, Ive seen GIS being utilized in a huge amount of ways in both history and archaeology so I can shape it as I need. It also could provide me a decent fallback if I decide to switch gears from archaeology. I know that I could teach myself these skills but, particularly since it would be difficult right now to find a job to even apply them with and I cant afford an unpaid internship, I feel like a certificate would look better on my resume.Money stuff: So, Im really fucking broke. I live at home so rent is free and work at a coffee shop that pays about 12 an hour. However, this was a rough month with unexpected expenses and I am an idiot and cut back way on hours since I thought I would be starting the dream job any day now. Current savings and checking: I have like 200 to my name, but Im planning on upping my hours at this coffee shop, maxing around 2530. Debt: 11,000 in student loans, monthly payments of about 100 that will start in December. If I go back to school for this program I could defer the loans for a bit. No car payment or any other sort of monthly bills other than a few small things. Cost if I did the certificate: My boyfriend still lives in my college town and I could hopefully live with him and his roommates for like 150 a month. The certificate would take 2 semesters at about 2400 each so call it 5k total. I would not be eligible for federal aid. I would work part time while doing this program and hopefully make at least 700-1000 a month. I bike pretty much everywhere in that town and can be pretty frugal if I need to. I could also find a full time job over the summer to try and save up for the Fall semester. My parents are supportive but will not pay for post-undergrad education, though if I find a very professional way to do it I may be able to take out a loan from them.What now?: I currently hate this coffee job and hate the city Im living in and hate living at home, and hate the idea of continuing to do this for much longer. I think I can get into this program starting in January, and if not I would just have to figure out something to do until I can maybe do it in the fall. Im just not going to be able to find a good job with my degree right now and am debating whether its a wise move to bite the bullet and take out probably about 5k in private loans for this certificate and a life which I would enjoy much more which would allow me to make much more in the long run. Is getting this certificate a wise move, financially and professionally? I know this isnt rjobsWhats the best way to pay for this? Private loans?Is there a side to this situation that I havent considered?Thank you guys so much!TL;DR- Broke, sad, and underemployed with a humanities degree. Do I take out 5k in private loans to get a supplemental technical certificate that will help me get a job in the long run, or keep working kinda crappy jobs and hoping to find a job I do qualify for?  <response>: GIS is a growing field. I would say go for the certificate. Your degree is not worthless, and GIS will help expand your options. Check out city, county and state gov job postings - I see a lot of well-paid GIS-related jobs in my area at those places. Check every few weeks to see. 