From baby-sitting to freelancing, over-educated, over-qualified women are doing whatever it takes to pay the bills and stay motivated after a layoff. By Julie Bogart

Rachel Levy recently used her master’s degree in business administration to secure a job—as a dog-sitter. The nonprofit organization where the 37-year-old once worked eliminated her position as director of marketing in July 2008. To make ends meet, she also baby-sits, consults, and collects unemployment pay.

Levy’s story is no doubt a familiar one (cue Debbie Downer sound effects): the unexpected layoff; the long lines at the unemployment office; the job search that feels futile in this economy. If you haven’t been laid off yourself, you have a few friends who have been. Or will be.

While a layoff is difficult for everyone, for successful women who take pride in their independence, women who’ve busted their butts to build and nurture a career—often at the expense of social, romantic, or family lives—it can be brutal. For a lucky few, a job loss may simply mean trading out Starbucks coffee for Dunkin Donuts’; but for most, it requires an entire lifestyle overhaul.

Yet, despite the challenges they now face, many out-of-work women are finding ways to repurpose their unexpected time off, using the skills that deem them “over-qualified” to start their own businesses or hone dormant talents.

Coping & cutbacks

When Gina Moore-Sanders, 40, lost her job as a university research scientist last October, she went through what she describes as a grieving period. “My whole concept of myself came crashing down,” says Moore-Sanders, who has a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and numerous published papers to her name. Her situation became so dire that her social life and marriage suffered. “My husband was very worried about me,” she says. “I was so angry, frustrated, and hurt, which was rapidly turning into depression.” To counter these feelings, she turned to courses in mindfulness to help her manage her anger.

Even those who’ve accepted their situations encounter bouts of hopelessness (and heavy drinking). After five months of steady unemployment, 27-year-old Lily Piper gave in to her despair. “I had an absolute breakdown,” she says. Piper was laid off from her architecture firm last fall. Though she has two roommates to split the rent and utilities with, she says, “We are all struggling.” To help her through her emotional rough patches, Piper relies on the support of her friends—and a professional counselor, whom she says is essential.

Others relapse into – oops – retail therapy, despite the tough times. Formerly a marketing and events coordinator, 26-year-old Lea Mewa has replaced VIP events and award shows with home-cooked meals and movies with friends. And though she’s stocked up on Ramen noodles, Mewa confesses that she occasionally surrenders to her more frivolous desires. “There are some times when I have to buy a pair of shoes to bite my craving or reward myself for not spending recklessly,” she says.

Creating new opportunities

What do women with too many degrees do with too much free time? Find new and creative ways to benefit from their skills.

For example, Rebecca Robbins, a 33-year-old who lost her job as a product manager in February, plans to launch a home-based marketing and consulting business. “I am having so much fun working on this [that] some nights I have been up as late as 3 a.m.,” she says. Moore-Sanders, meanwhile, has started a small online mental health support group for multicultural women, developing a business plan for future use.

Others use their unfilled days to give back to the community. While Moore-Sanders volunteers at a hospice, Piper has taken on more responsibilities at a nearby homeless shelter. “One thing I didn’t think is that I would be so busy,” Mewa says. “Laundry, dishes, e-mail, job-hunting, volunteer meetings, working for free, and car maintenance are all on my to-do list at any given moment.”

Supporting other overqualified women

With more and more of us getting the old heave ho, it’s important to remember that no one is alone in this mess. In fact, the only good thing about getting laid off right now is that you’ve got company aboard your sinking ship. “Surround yourself with positive people and talk to them often,” Mewa says.

Levy stresses not only communicating with others, but also actively getting out of the house at least once a day. And Robbins advises, “Don’t let your own perceptions of people or situations stop you from trying something new.” Lori Shapiro, 33, who lost her job as a recruiter last November, offers perhaps the best – and hardest to follow – advice of all: “Try not to let stress paralyze you. If you are constantly worrying about the situation it may impede your ability to actively try to change it.”

How overqualified are you for your recession-era job? What are you doing to cope? Share your struggles and your secrets on our message boards below.

Julie Bogart is a freelance writer living in Brighton, Mass.

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Tags: career, economy, money

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