Job or education?

I recently found myself out of work. The falling real-estate market has caused the construction company I work(ed) for to discontinue building until the market demand increases. So, I filed for unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, I am two quarters away from graduating from ITT with my associates degree in Drafting. For the last year-and-a-half I have been attending school full-time, with a current GPA of 3.75, while working full-time as a residential concrete worker and full-time single parent who is also current on all child support. The State of Washington, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that because of my full time student status, I am unavailable for work and therefore has denied my unemployment benefits due. When did it become more important in this country to have a job than to have an education? Should our high school freshman focus their attention more on resume writing and job search tactics, so that when they turn 16 they can get a job and quit school altogether, after all, isnt a job more important? Perhaps instead of passing the WASL to graduate, they should be required to have a full-time job. What is the message we are teaching our children, dont bother with college, get a job, its more important? Ironically, these types of laws were passed by people with college educations and one wonders where they would be right now if they were taught by people who felt that work is more important than an education.
KW Carbajal
Arlington

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