A recession is no time to act entitled

Hiring freeze, layoffs, recession —- the words that dominate recent headlines have been swirling through the minds of college seniors, myself included, for the past six months.

This time last year, we took comfort in the fact that there was an entire 12 months for the economy to perk up. “This is one of the worst times to graduate,” our professors told our friends who graduated in 2008.

But now? Forget it.

Career fairs are depressing. Everyone wants interns who will work for free.

Web sites that compile job postings? Practically dormant.

Even those of us with tons of internships and other experience are feeling the pressure.

“You’ve already got something lined up for May, right?” people ask me. “You’ve had all those internships.”

Well, no. Despite what people think, a glowing resume doesn’t automatically equal a job upon graduation —- especially now.

Now more than ever, college seniors are struggling to stand out in a sea of applicants. When my peers and I were growing up, we were constantly told to be involved in everything and to win everything. I accumulated countless Honor Roll ribbons beginning in elementary school, and the accolades didn’t stop there for me or my motivated college classmates.

We didn’t spend our summers working in retail or delivering pizzas. We lined up fancy internships in the industry of our choice and tried to contribute something to the organization besides a fresh-brewed pot of coffee.

We were always told to do it all and we’d succeed. But now, when all is said and done, we’re competing against each other —- one jam-packed resume after another.

I have friends who have interned at NBC News, The Wall Street Journal and Reader’s Digest. Personally, I’ve had four internships in New York City over the course of three different summers.

And we’re all still facing unemployment come May.

Those who study the psychology of generations will all agree mine has one thing in common: a sense of entitlement.

“After all our internship and hands-on experience, now we’re told to be assistants to some executive?” many of my peers ask.

After schlepping files and preparing presentations (OK, I did do more than that at my internships), I admit that my dream post-graduation job isn’t in the copy room. But graduates before me have done it, and I’ll do it, too.

My peers who aren’t willing to start at the bottom are in for a reality slap across the face come May.

Sure, we could apply to grad school or take a year off to “find ourselves.” But if we weren’t willing to do that before the job market sank, it’s probably not the right option for us regardless.

Moving back in with Mom and Dad? Sure, it’d be fun for a bit —- free meals and a big-screen TV —- but after working toward our independence for the past 22 years, who really wants to do that?

My peers and I need to step up and be ready to fight. It’s not going to be glamorous or easy, but in the end, maybe we will shed that sense of entitlement and appreciate what we’ve worked for.

Rejection is sometimes the best form of motivation. And I have a feeling we’re about to become highly motivated —- one way or another.

> Shannon Otto of Kennesaw is a journalism major at the University of Georgia.