Career change after a layoff, where to begin? - what worked for you?

After 15 years as an office manager I am thinking about moving into a different field. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I have a little time and a small budget for training. How did you start?

I began with informational chats, then a short online course, then a related entry-level role. It took about 6 months.

I took a small pay cut for a year, and it was worth it for the growth afterwards.