Class of 2009: Who's working, who isn't

The class of 2009 graduated into the worst economy in decades, with unemployment at a 26-year high. Here's how 11 grads are getting by.

I try to apply to at least three jobs every day. I graduated about two months ago, multiplied by three applications a day... well, that's a ton of rejection, and it starts to get to you.

You dread running into anybody you know who will ask what you've been up to since school ended. What can you say? If I were honest I'd say, "I cry a lot, I rent movies from the library because I have no money, I fight with my family..."

But of course but you don't say that. You breezily say you're STILL looking for a job, just enjoying your little "vacation." But this is not a vacation. Just the effort to find three new jobs to apply to each day is a full-time job in itself.

I wanted a job in media, but I don't hear back from anyone. Eventually you have to get a little creative with your search techniques. Editorial assistant opportunities are few and far between, so it starts out slow: "Hmm, media assistant? That doesn't sound too far off. I can do that." And before you know it, you're applying to be a medical assistant.

I guess it's not all bad. I had an internship with CollegeCandy.com in the spring, although that's over. Now I get to sleep late, and I've gotten an awesome tan because I have all this time to lie in the backyard and question God's motives. I suppose it could be worse.