Whole sector shrinking, should I change fields? (update)

Many of the people I know in my field were laid off this year, including me as a medical assistant. The postings I see are fewer and ask for more. 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.