How to gain more work experience?

How do you gain work experience if no one will hire you and doing internship without pay is not an option?

• I will graduate Dec. 17th and I am highly frustrated. The first reason my car recently broke down and getting it fix is not an option, I have no job and very little money, and to make matters worst I have no clue what to do after graduating next month, going to grad school is not an option because I can not afford it and i have already accumulated debt that i have no idea how i am going to pay it back. I feel like i have wasted so much time in school that I have no marketable work skills to present to the workforce. I am currently completing a 200 hour internship that is required for my major and it is a complete waste of time, mainly because I do absolutely nothing for 8.5 hours a day. and when i finally do get to do something it's placing labels on the back of postcards. Can someone please tell me were I will use this so called skill that will pay me at least $30,000/yr. So my question is how do you gain work experience if no one will hire you and how do you make your self stand out in a world that you are not qualified to work in.

• Answer:

  I asked my career counselor and professors this same question last year, when I lost my job and couldn't find an "in" into the business world. I was told you try to find an entry-level position that no one else wants. I found it to be the truth. You look for the job-openings that get you a foot-in-the-door and then you gain experience and can move up the corporate ladder. It took me six months of unemployment to finally get an entry-level job (at minimum wage). I received a raise after 3 months and another raise at 6 months (9 months later I'm up for another promotion). I love my job and I love the company I work with but it was hard to start a minimum wage job with a degree. Some people get lucky and get great jobs right out of college, but a lot of individuals have to take low-paying jobs to get some experience and get their foot in the door. Networking is huge, so let everyone know that you're looking for work, and what type of work you're looking for. Attend job fairs and introduce yourself and give your resume to corporations. Good luck to you.