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Young Professional, Recently Laid off, What Direction to Take?

I was laid off in mid November (the best time of year to have to look for a job) and I'm having a difficult time deciding which route I should take. I'm a young professional with about 4+ years of internet marketing industry experience, in a city where there aren't a ton of jobs even really related to that. I'm working on my MBA in the evenings, a decision because of stagnation concerns with the company, so between the money I have from that, the severance I got, and savings, I'm financially secure almost through to the summer, but I'm not comfortable with that. Every position I see posted online seems to want 5-7 years of experience, in ANY field, which I don't have. I've applied to numerous, and got one interview, which didn't result in an offer. I want to work full time again. But in light of my layoff, I upped the amount of classes I'm taking from 2 to 3 nights a week, just because .. At four courses completed (3 more pending) with a 3.5 GPA, I consider myself too far into my program to just stop and relocate. I want to finish my MBA, maybe I'm wrong. What should I do as far as my job search is concerned? Am I too far along in my career to change career fields? I don't particularly care to, but if the demand for jobs in my area is different, I'm not sure. Then there's the whole matter of having to start from the bottom again if I do that. I made a decent salary this year; are employers in other disciplines likely to acknowledge that and pay me a similar salary if I go that route?

Public Comments

1. Sorry about your job loss.Right now with the economy being the way it is, I say focus on school. Hopefully by the time your finished, the market will be better. Good Luck!!!
2. Focus on finishing up your MBA. While doing this, you can take a 'schlub' or 'mcjob' in a variety of areas. The goal is to get the MBA. Use your school's recruiting wings in order to line up some interviews prior to graduation. You do what you have to do in hard times, and, my friend, these times are not going to get better in the next few years. BTW, when a company says 5 to 7 years worth of experience, this is only a 'tester' to 'weed out' the suckers and ne'er do wells. Apply for any job that strikes your fancy. Plus, with your background, teaching at the high school or even the community college level is a positive. Might even ask your teacher if there are any openings at the school you are attending. Might also want to try highereducationjobs.com, or other education search source.