So, I'm about to take up a ten-week internship with these people:

CHECKOUT, Ireland's "leading monthly magazine for the FMCG & grocery retail sector".

FCMG stands for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (i.e. food). I like food and I like magazines. Therefore I feel I cannot but enjoy this placement. Woo!

If you could work on any magazine, paper or website, where would you work and why?

Best answer gets a fast-moving consumable good. x

The Guardian has written some great articles that have finally noticed the impact of the recession on graduates:

Generation crunch: young face crisis in hunt for work

I wasn't expecting anyone to sit up and take notice like that, I've got to say. Every time I discuss it with someone older than me who's got a job, I find myself excusing the siutation, saying things like, "It doesn't matter, because at least I've got no dependents, my degree makes me quite employable, there's a lot of internship schemes and postgraduate study on offer even if there's no jobs". Unfortunately, I have always known that's not true and it's quite a comfort having Britain's leading broadsheet put the issue front page.

What do you think of the issue, and the Guardian's coverage?

Having said that, at least on the front line of this crisis of prospects we have felt it for some months now, and made provisions. Yesterday I went to Lewisham for an interview for a journalism and reporting internship with the EU's Leonardo scheme, and they are going to sort me a placement in Dublin for January 25th! I'm pretty excited! It will be so nice to be away from home again, so nice to be in full-time work in the sphere I love, and great to be in yet another capital city! It's short notice but hopefully it will all come together. I'll keep you posted in the next fortnight as to where I'm going to be working.

Also, I'm applying for three top magazine journalism courses. Wish me luck!

I have long been suffering The Boredom of living at home, jobless - not a phonecall off Reed for a month now, few jobs I want to apply for online - so I thought the best thing for it was to learn a few more skills and hop on a postgraduate diploma programme for would-be journalists.

But it's a bit fearsome! Shaking off the dust, timidly emailing old professors to ask for not one or two but three references; gulping as I read the requirements of the application; getting a literal feeling of fain-heartedness. I know I don't want to sit on my backside any more... But have I got the balls to apply for a new programme of study, shell out thousands and become a student again? What about earning a wage?

Anyone else rubbish at making their own decisions?

If anyone wants me, I'll be taking the auspices in order to decide what I want for lunch.

In this moment of financial discontent and global crisis, here's a fun game to take your mind off the recession. With a friend, or on your own, see who can make the most use of the phrase, "It's The Credit Crunch!". Whether answering serious questions about the economy or just explaining to your flatmates why you haven't replaced that pint of milk you finished yesterday, you'll be amazed at just how durable this sentiment is. Whoever exploits the phrase the most in the space of 24 hours, wins something from Poundland.

Don't forget to post your favourite conversations here afterwards!

Get this, gap year students. I'm young, free, and qualified to degree level. The world's my oyster - right?

Right. But I'm getting cold feet about going abroad again. I've found a work experience scheme for print journalism, but it's in Dublin. Travelling and living abroad relies on huge reserves of excitement and a thirst for adventure. But mine was quenched in Paris last autumn. What I really want is to get some good work experience in the UK. But no-one wants me!!

Anyone else finding it hard to convince people to take them on for free? Got any tips?