The class of 2009 is facing a grim reality. Not only is a large majority saddled with university debt but competition for jobs has never been fiercer. It's not just graduates: school leavers, those who wish to immerse themselves in the world of work at the earliest opportunity, are facing a shortage of opportunities too. One suggestion is that a young person might work for free to finish a qualification. This is a possibility but with reservations. It should only be for a short time. You should not feel that just because we are in a recession, you are not entitled to a salary. If you have to work without reward make it clear what you are looking for and question the employer's motives and reasons for not paying a salary.
The Telegraph