Priorities

What do you put first in your life?

I've been going to college for 7 years - nonstop. Since 2004 the professors would say, there's no jobs now but by the time you begin you're teaching there would be. 7 years later and there isn't. So what do I do? The last step to receive my credentials to be a teacher is to student teach. But in order to student teach, I have to quit my job. Then for 4 months I will do my student teaching to not have a job again. There's no jobs for teachers. And if there are, they're required to hire the ones who were laid off first. I can substitute teach but again it's not guaranteed, will hire those let go first, and it's not a year round job. Do I work at awful retail jobs until I get a teaching position? Will there even be jobs available to apply to? Will they think I'm over qualified to work for them?

One professor told his student, get your schooling done in California and teach in another state. My family means way more to me than a job. I didn't choose the field for money. I chose it because I enjoy it. Am I just asking for too much? Am I not realistic?

I thought, well I can extend out my schooling so I don't have to quit yet. I spoke to the University of Phoenix for other options. Then she brought it to my attention that some programs only give you so long to complete it, then you have to start over. Great. She basically told me their school wasn't best for me and to just finish at Stanislaus.

I don't know what to do...