Jul. 12--Jack Bernowitz went from banking to cooking. His goal is to own his own restaurant. Credit: Caitlin Ragione

They say when one door closes, another opens. And that's happening for many of the city's unemployed.

Scores of New Yorkers are pursuing dream jobs they never might have sought out if not for the recession.

"Oftentimes someone goes into a career, is very successful, and then gets to a point ... when they realize it's not what they want to do. Now many people are trying to figure out exactly what they really want to do," said Linda Stone, a New York University career counselor who teaches "Mid-Career Change."

Allison Hemming, president of talent agency The Hired Guns, agreed: "I believe the other side of this recession is what I'm terming the New Individualism Movement.

"People are looking to be entrepreneurs," she said.

We spoke with four New Yorkers who are reaping the benefits of career change.

Andrea Lala at Whole Foods. Credit: Willie Davis. Andrea Lala, 34, investment banking to holistic health and nutrition

"I've been in this city working really hard for the last 12 years, and the lifestyle definitely caught up with me," said Andrea Lala.

So when she was laid off from Barclays in June, she was glad that she had enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at Lincoln Center last December.

Lala wants to combine her business background with her passion for nutrition to launch her own business, eventually offering corporate wellness programs.

Lala, who has savings and her fiance's financial support, said she took a 75 percent salary cut. "But it feels so different to get up everyday and feel passionate about what you do; and to feel in control, rather than waiting for the next round of layoffs."

Pete Versage, 54, information technology to ESL teacher

After working in the information technology field for 30 years, Pete Versage became disillusioned and left his job at a bank in May 2007.

After enrolling in Stone's class, he decided to turn a volunteer teaching gig at the International Center, an English-training school in Chelsea, into a career teaching English for business.

"Money was not a motivating factor ... but there's certainly that element of fear as to whether there will be enough income generated," he said.

Karen Seiger explores New York's markets for her upcoming book, "The Markets of New York." Credit: Dave Sanders.

Karen Seiger, 44, from marketing at American Express to guide book author

After her international marketing job moved overseas in 2007, Seiger and her husband vacationed in Paris.