Well it looks like the shortfall of jobs is good for someone...volunteer, non-profit organizations and summer job programs. Quite a few of new high school graduates are turning to summer job programs that involve volunteer work versus pay. So while the graduates new found adulthood may not be laced in dollars (just yet anyway) they do get to keep active, foster relationships and be an active part of the community. Likewise, the same pattern is on the rise with those having workforce experience. So many job seekers are fed up with the job search process that they often volunteer - even at non-traditional volunteer organizations i.e. a business establishment that cant afford to hire or otherwise doesn't want to hire right now. So again, volunteer work can have benefits, for both parties, but it can very well be taken advantage of, by establishments looking to get less than cheap labor i.e. free labor while citing the economy as a convenient scape goat. So if you are one of the ones volunteering, just check in often to make sure that it is a win win situation.