Background:
I'm currently on unemployment, and have been taking job training classes because nobody would freaking hire me with my original skillset. This training ends in a couple of months; I'm going through an internship as part of it, but once that ends, I'm going to start job hunting again. (For those who must know, the training is in Medical Billing and Coding. I plan on furthering my education again later.)
My unemployment runs out in November, and from there, I'm entirely on savings until I get a job. I don't know how long that'll be. My savings must cover food, gas, and car payments for the duration, unless things grow dire, then I'll be begging my parents for help.
The setup:
My job training includes two certification tests in the field. I'm looking at getting another one in order to increase my appeal to employers. Problem is, it costs $300 for the test, and then there are additional costs associated with maintaining this credential. If it gets me noticed, then it's worth it, but if not, then that's a lot of money to throw away.
On an unrelated note, about 5 years ago I started working towards my Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology with a concentration in Web Development and Maintenance at the local community college (a second Associates degree). After having my dreams of changing the department I worked in at the agency I worked at at the time stomped on, I abandoned it fairly close to actually obtaining the thing in favor of obtaining a Bachelors. Now, the college will be discontinuing the program this summer. If I finished, then I'd have official IT education credentials, which might look good when/if I go for my Masters. However, this is very expensive; it's $700+ for two classes, plus textbooks. (Remember, it's a community college, which is why it's relatively inexpensive. Also remember that I'm running out of money.)
TL;DR:
I'm about to lose my unemployment, about to finish my job training, and am trying to decide if I should invest in completing an AAB or in a certification. Or maybe I should keep my money.
So what say you, Board 8? Do I finish that degree? Do I get the certification? Or do I play it safe and hold on to my money?