Updated On Fri, 04/09/2010 - 3:20pm

Michael Burton is a public relations professional in North Carolina who has worked in the health care industry for years. Burton was recently laid off, and after almost a year of ups and downs while hunting for jobs, he has decided to do something different. "In the job hunt process, you're not in control," he said.

 
So to take control, Burton is now working to start up his own public relations company called Burton Communications. "As a consultant, I will have to market myself now," he said.
 
Burton ackowledges that starting any business is risky, but he believes its a better investment of his time, saying, "you can't look back... you have to go forward."
 
Burton says taking courses in entrepenurship has given him direction and motivation in this new chapter of his life. He reminds us that in this tough time, one must keep an open mind when considering what's next for your career.
 
Read more about Burton's career path at the Charlotte Observer.