Whole sector shrinking, should I change fields?

Three companies in Atlanta cut staff in the same month. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I have transferable skills but no direct experience elsewhere. How did you choose?

Talk to people in the field you are considering. Two coffee chats changed my mind about one option.

Look at job postings to see which skills repeat, then fill the gap. That gave me a direction.