<p>Do not beat yourself up. Those graduating in the past two years graduated into the worst job market in decades and there is not much promise of improvement. My younger d graduated in 2010 and very few of her friends are working in “career’” type jobs with companies that offer benefits. Most are working in whatever job they can get or juggling part-time jobs and unpaid internships. My younger d is an aspiring actress/singer and so yes she knew the road would be tough. She has had an internship in theater management, an acting internship and works her day job as a nanny while she auditions and has been in several productions for zero pay. She has a cheap apartment and lives as cheaply as she can. My older d graduated in 2007 with a double major and has found work in her field with prominent institutions but all part-time, no benefits. She too has a cheap apartment in a different city and lives cheaply. No employer will hold it against you for working a retail job. It is work experience.</p>