My advice for graduates (although it may sound cliche) is to have solid skills in SOMETHING. I know it may be hard to acquire skills if you haven't worked much professionally but find someone that do (or has done) what you want to do and bug THE shyt out of them to see how you can start building your skill-set for the career you are pursuing. Find out what they did, ask if they have any contacts...network, network, network! Also, this is usually where your reputation will precede you, if people KNOW that you are a solid individual, they are more likely to help you. If you running around pulling stunts like The Nigerion
.
Also, for those of you in tech-related fields, you have NO REASON not to have your skill-set tight because you can work hands-on on your own with books, video tutorials, cheap-ass equipment and your computer. Hell, the dudes in the IT thread in Higher Learning can guide you exactly into the direction you need to go so read that thread!
Last, DO NOT let the news, what people say, or anything else shake you. Don't buy into it! If everyone else is having a hard time, that doesn't have NOTHING to do with you. Perception can become reality QUICK so if you get shaken or scared to make moves based on someone else's experience, you can fukk around and find yourself in the EXACT same position as them.
Also, patience is another key. Don't get antsy, life is long, take shyt one day at a time and make the best decisions you can make WITHOUT emotion. If you need to move back in with mom and pops for a while, do what you have to do. Stay down, keep working and your time will come if you truly put in work like you was supposed to.
i want to travel abroad for the first time before grad school but i doubt theres any programs for newly grads
