Nat Cohen

Nat Cohen, 54, waited in line at the table for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, perhaps to apply for a teaching job. She moved to the area from Washington, D.C., two months ago, leaving behind a 25-year career with NBC as a videotape editor.

"I heard the job market was bad in Asheville, but I didn't think it was going to be this tough," she said. Her dream is to work as a counselor to breast cancer patients, but she said, "I'm really open to doing anything.

An MSNBC.com "Gotcha Room" report, by Bob Sullivan, with Producers Andy Gross and Colleen Sanvido, graphics designer Patrick Longstreth, and editor Nat Cohen.