Applying for a job with the US Census bureau is always a great alternative to getting a phd. I've been to several info sessions regarding it in the last few years, and from what I understand, if you've taken four statistics classes you are pre-empted out of some of the census training requirements. I think they're hiring right now anyways. Also, many census workers work from home one day a week and there are great benefits.
I don't work for the census (I'm trying to get into a phd program), but my mentor's son does and he loves it!