During times of abundance, society has the ability to fund programs such as creative writing.  Now is not the time.  Many - many jobs are being lost to technological advances, not just your position.  This is a significant challenge now and in they years to come.  Offices once had typing pools.  Even grocery checkers are being phased out.

Alaska's economy is impacted by world markets.  Fish prices are down  due to an embargo on US good in Russia and the dollar/yen valuation.  Oil prices are established within international markets. 

Many traditional union jobs have been lost to southern states  without unionization traditions, no Mexico.