I posted this in another thread, but....
check with your state, most will pay for you to go back to school for up to 24 months. You'll draw unemployment and get free school. Not a bad deal. Just take this as what it is, a opportunity your never going to get again.
Google is your friend... I think 600 is including he'll get.Best of luck to the OP
OP, curious what state you are in that you are getting paid $600 week unemployment benefits, or is that money coming from a different source? California unemployment is only $450/week and it only lasts six months. That's $1950/month. My mortgage and property taxes eat that up pretty easily, and I was only with Chevron for 5 years so my severance is only 10 weeks. So congratulations if you're able to take two years off and go to school - make sure you thank your lucky stars.
I'm the OP-
I'm an expat sitting in the hotel by myself waiting to be able to grab a flight home, I've called my wife and expressed my grief, and broke down. Like you I never left, even when I got the calls and offers. I always asked myself if the grass was truly greener on the other side. So yes I'm going to take the severance, and laugh while I get paid $600 a week to back to school. My state will try to recuperate the money from Chevron, and in the end, I'll be better off then I am now....
everyone I know still left Is asking "not if, but when". If you're borrowing 2 billion a quarter, something is screwed up!
Not a bad deal? Ever have to explain and re-explain to your wife how you lost your job while less qualified people kept theirs? Even if my old job would magically reappear, I would never return to the kind of company who would do this kind of thing to a family.... I ignored recruiter phone calls day after day in the name of company loyalty believing that sh-- in the town halls about being prepared for times like this.
This is correct - CA thru the EDD has training (WIOA) which they will pay like a project management course (there's a list)-also your severance package may have educational assistance given. The big one is Keep Your Home California program. Once you are unemployed meaning you get the debit card from the EDD, you can apply and they will help you pay your mortgage (check out the conditions as it is different for each county) for 18 months. There's a lot of docs you'll have to send but it's worth it if they'll help you pay your mortgage.