[Mr Beau]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation.

I work for a French company that produces parts for the automotive industry, about 50% for the domestics (i.e. Renault and PSA-Peugeot/Citreon) and 50% foreign.

I moved from the Detroit area 2 years ago with the understanding that they'd move me back after 2-3 years. We reached an agreement about 6 months ago for me to go back, where I'd work as the North American Sales Manager.

Well, as is happening in the US, the auto industry in Western Europe is not in the greatest of shape either. Ten days before my scheduled move date, I was informed that they've decided to pull out of the US market (where they've been trying to penetrate for the past 6 years with limited success).

The beginning of this week, I was told that the would find a job for me in the powertrain division located where I currently work in France. I met with the director on Friday and was basically told that they didn't have a spot for me and we would have to discuss severance packages next week...

When the US assignment was proposed to me, I wasn't quite ready to leave France as I was starting to get pretty well assimilated. It takes a while to get the hang of a foreign language and culture. But after a few trips back to the US and getting excited about the new job, the rug got pulled out from under me.

I'm now at the point where I'm not quite sure where I want to live, no what I want to do. I have floated the resume and checked some listings, but the market doesn't seem nearly as hot as it was when I was last looking 6 years ago.

I've really enjoyed the foreign aspect of the job and would like to continue down the same path. I usually find travel pretty enjoyable (over 200k air miles in the past 4 years) so I would be open to something that could require that.

At this point I'm looking at the bright side of things and thinking this would be a good time to do my MBA, but would consider working if the right job comes along. Waiting until the usual September intake would be a bit of a stretch, and then there's the joy of figuring out how to finance everything, but I should be able to make it work.

I'm 29 and a mechanical engineer by training. I've "moved up the ladder" relatively quickly in the past 6 years and have moved further and further away from the technical side of things with each step. I enjoy science and things technical, so I was a bit hesitant at first but have rather enjoyed the new challenges and type of work.

So, I'm at a bit of a crossroads. Any thoughts/suggestions from those who've been down a similar path?