Has the Current Recession Affected Your Summer Plans?

The Summer of 2009 will not be remembered fondly by many college students who were hoping to find summer internships or for those who recently graduated and hoped to have already secured a regular full time job. A recent article in The New York Times illustrates the various struggles families are going through during these tough economic times and the different ways they are learning to cope with them.

Even though times are tough, there are things that students can do to help them become more marketable in the future. Even doing menial work in a local store or fast food restaurant has something positive to teach its workers. Since most employers look for candidates with communication, interpersonal, organizational, teamwork, and time management skills; completing a "menial" job can be helpful in developing these valuable skills to include on your resume. In addition, many nonprofit organizations are hurting because of the economy as well and would welcome an extra pair of hands to keep their organization going.

Whatever you decide to do for the summer, make sure you understand the value of the experience and how you can use it to your advantage. Asking others for help can also bring about desired results as well as additional opportunities.

Question:

How has the current recession affected your summer plans? Please comment below.