I have worked many menial jobs to get myself through high school and college including at restaurants and at a factory. Even though I am young, a recent graduate, I found that this experience has been extremely useful by teaching me how to communicate effectively with anyone. However, it seems that the market demands young people to have 'related experience' and I feel there is a push to do unpaid internships over making wages because it is more difficult to find employment (in my case) after graduation without the directly related experience.

Sent by Alicia | 3:53 PM ET | 08-14-2007

Just after graduating from high school at 16, I worked the summer at a tiny cafe in wheat country in SE Wyoming. During harvest, we stayed open and served harvesters often until midnight; until everyone had been fed. I learned that even as a teen-aged waitress, I was an important part of my community at a critical time of year. I also learned that you stick with a job until it's finished, no matter the time of day or night. These grimy harvesters were mighty grateful for a steak and potatoes at midnight!

Sent by Carol Eckhardt | 3:54 PM ET | 08-14-2007

It's offensive that so many baby boomers believe that my generation is lazy. Most of us put up with roommates, take forever to pay back our college loans, and have to settle for low-paying jobs because none of the baby boomer employers are willing to take chances on us.

Sent by Stephanie | 3:57 PM ET | 08-14-2007

I just went into my last summer before I graduate from college, and ended up for a third year in retail. I searched since January for a good internship but was unsuccessful. I am nervous that my lack of internship experience will reflect poorly on my resume when I look for a job, but this third year as a sales associate reiterated one important thing: I went to college so I won't have to continue the sales position for a living.

Sent by Daniela | 6:36 PM ET | 08-14-2007

Being an undergraduate senior, I've worked 2 paid internships, and 1 unpaid.

The drive behind an unpaid internship is gaining that invaluable work experience that a lot of companies desire out of a college graduate.

While we may be missing out on those 'prototypical jobs', we have just as good experiences with fellow interns and similar fondness of where we work and whom we work for.

Sent by Jonathan | 7:28 PM ET | 08-14-2007

Unpaid internships are often door-opening introductions into a "privileged" socio-economic network. But if you don't have enough financial wherewithal to be able to work for free, you are shut out. The rich get the good jobs, and richer.

Sent by Lauren | 3:29 PM ET | 08-15-2007