Judging by recent reports, being a young college graduate is nothing to get excited about these days.

Consider one study from the Economic Policy Institute, which said the unemployment rate averaged 9.4 percent from early 2011 through early 2012 for college graduates age 21 to 24. Another 19.1 percent were underemployed, which included those who worked part time but wanted full-time work. And for the next 10 to 15 years, the Class of 2012 will likely earn less than they would if they had graduated when the economy was stronger.