Tory; at 39 I went through the death of my partner, ended up getting sick over everything and went on disability and in Oct of '03' I had to move back to my family in IL. I decided to go back to school after 20 years and went for real estate sales; I finished the class but did not get the license. In '04' I moved in with a friend to help him take care of his aged grandmother and back to school for graphic design. I received my associates in Dec '06' but no luck on the job front. I have been trying everything online but no response and I keep seeing the same positions posted over again. Next week I am starting a professional job-training program to learn how to look for a job. Also, entry-level positions are asking for 3-5 of experience, a bachelor degree and new programs that are not being taught  in school because they are so new. The problem I have is explaining my time off, what about the new programs and what else can I do to find work?