Entire_Air_2226's journey

I was laid off about a month ago from a large professional services firm where I had worked for several years. My role was quite specialized, focusing on AI Security Engineering, which integrated both technical and business aspects, including legal frameworks and regulations. Despite receiving consistent positive feedback, I found myself unexpectedly affected by a broader round of layoffs. After taking a short break, I’ve started my job search again and have applied to a few positions. In less than three weeks, I’ve already progressed to the interview stage with a smaller company. However, I’m concerned about the potential pay cut, which could be between 40-50% of my previous salary, which was in the mid to high six figures in a moderate-cost-of-living area. I'm at a crossroads: should I accept a lower-paying job for the sake of income, health insurance, and stability while I continue to search for something that pays closer to what I used to make? Or should I hold out for a better opportunity, assuming my savings can support me for a while? I’m also pursuing a part-time master’s degree in a STEM field at a top institution, so I feel like I'm still making productive use of my time. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has faced a similar situation and whether taking a pay cut ended up being beneficial or detrimental to their long-term career.