With jobs so tough to find, some people are willing to make a life change.

A diesel mechanic by trade and unemployed for 10 months, Carey Stallings would love to work in his field again. But for the 27-year-old, doing what he enjoys is no longer a priority.
"I'm looking for anything at the moment," Stallings said.

The nation's unemployment rate jumped up to 7.2 percent in December, the highest level in 16 years, according to the Department of Labor. In its report released Friday, the department reported 524,000 jobs were lost.
And that has some people considering their options.

With two children, bills and a mortgage Stallings said he just needs a job.

"It makes me feel like less of a man cause I'm used to doing a lot, and I'm used to doing my job," Stallings said.

While Stallings is willing to take anything, he joins another man at the Employment Security Office in Raleigh who is determined to stay in his field. Unemployed since September, Merton Pajibo said he wants to use his master's in organic chemistry to help others by researching drugs.

"Particularly...about my people from Liberia, you know we have a lot of issues with Malaria," Pajibo said.

But money is running out.

"Financially I don't have that much time to wait," Pajibo said.

When looking at the sheer number of claims, thousands in the Raleigh office alone, office manager Leon Perry said it's an employer's market. That makes it hard for everyone to get exactly what they want.

And that's where Deborah Steine stands -- somewhere in the middle of what she wants and will take.

"I'm looking at my options to see what is available," Steine said.

After 10 years in furniture sales and design, she's looking for stability and like many people, trying to stay positive.

"I'm very optimistic, you know I won't give up," Steine said.