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[verbena]

I hope it is understandable why I would be feeling fear right now.

Yes, it totally makes sense. Take care of yourself. 

Truly at this point, if I had a close family and a close circle of friends, I know I would feel much less fear.

Of if you had a therapist. This is not about a set of logistical or professional decisions, but about your feelings.

I know the source of the problem exactly. I don't feel like I belong anywhere, and I keep getting a great deal of conflicting advice from different people. I've been advised to go to the Peace Corps, go to Korea and teach English, go to school, get a job, move, stay put, etc., all in the recent weeks.

You think you're powerless because you have no opportunities, but at the same time you seem to feel overwhelmed because you have too many. Again, I don't this has to do, really, with applications and programs and degrees. 

[alto_stratus]

It's normal to not know what you want at your stage in life.  Many of us figure out what we want by doing things, and then deciding whether we like them or not.  That takes time.  I know it's not easy to hear that when you want to have things all figured out.  It can be scary, but it's normal.  Believe me, you don't have to have it all figured out now.   I'd encourage you to look at the “conflicting advice” as this: opportunities.  There is no right or wrong here, there are just lots of different paths you can take.  

I echo others who say getting a degree in English, despite what some people say, is not a bad thing.  Mended_drum is right about all the opportunities for anyone who can think and write.  You'd be amazed how rare those skills are.  If you have other skills to add (people skills, administrative skills), even better.  And try not to look down on certain jobs.  That mindset can be self-defeating when you're starting out or starting over.  People who do even the most entry-level job well will be respected and appreciated in their organization, and usually find opportunities to advance--if that's what they want.

Richard Bolles said it, as have others on the forum:  when you don't know what you want to do (and you are not independently wealthy), pay the least amount of money trying to figure it out.  Working, paying off debt, and building a cushion that will offer you more financial flexibility, would be my priorities if I were you.  Hopefully the paragraph above this has helped you see you do have opportunities right now, without a master’s degree.  It is a challenging economy, so it will take effort, patience, and creativity, but it is possible.

And whether it’s in association with the master’s degree you were seeking or not, if you want to get experience doing grant writing, you might find opportunities at universities or arts organizations.  They do a lot of that kind of work, and you could try to get an entry-level job or just volunteer to gain experience.  You may be splitting hairs with the actual courses you are insisting on taking for your master’s degree.  You might be able to do an internship or transfer in a course or two from another university and stay on track for the degree, if that’s what you want.  Or just pick up these courses through a professional education program somewhere else.

But I agree with others here who have hinted that with many careers, it’s picking something to do and doing it well that will give you the most success in your career.  The degrees tend to work themselves out along the way, if they are needed.

Also, I know you are feeling isolated right now, but you’re not alone in this.  Just keep plugging away, and don't let that lonely feeling play a counterproductive role in your life.  Do things to build your confidence and your support network.  Keep encouraging yourself to find and make those connections (realize they’ll look a little different than in younger years).  Stop counting yourself out!  Tell that little voice to take off.