They graduated from college into the worst job market since The Great Depression and they didn't give up. The lack of an easy job fertilized their minds to take a risk. On themselves.

In the short term, colleges could create programs to help close the "skills gap" that right now keeps some three million jobs from being filled, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To the current youth, who envision all they've ever dreamed going up in smoke due to four years of a crummy economy, I say yes, it may take more time and effort to achieve your dreams than you thought, but don't give up on your heart's desires.

Losing the student discounts was one thing. But what was more traumatizing was being suddenly viewed the same as the 49-year-old marketing executive sitting next to me on public transit.

More students are enrolling in college today than ever before -- a staggering 2.8 million signed up in 2008 alone. But the job market is not so kind...