I highly recommend getting a job in the field you think you might be interested in before committing to a second degree program or a certification process. As you've seen, what sounds good theoretically can turn out to be an unpleasant reality!

Also, a lot of employers will pay for your certification if you are in a field that has a shortage of people with that skill set.

I would look for a job in the field I was interested in, even if the position was a bit lower, with a company that offered tuition reimbursement.