Nordia Graham, 21, completed her studies in International Relations at the University of the West Indies in May of this year. She has so far been unsuccessful in her quest to attain employment.

"I have sent out more than 30 applications to companies across the island and, so far, I have receivd more than 20 rejection letters. I knew things would be hard when I completed my studies but I never anticipated that it would have been this bad," she said.

Ms. Graham said she is upset and disappointed by the fact that her current situation may force her to leave the island in search of employment opportunities.

"I am one of those people who always criticised Jamaicans who go abroad to work. I used to think that they were deserting their country but now that I am in this position I realise that sometimes you are left with no choice but to migrate," she said.

Carol Pottinger, 37, has been unemployed for three and a half years. Her last job was at a printing company where she worked in the dark room and attended to clerical matters.

"I have it very hard right now. I have nowhere to turn to because even going abroad costs a lot of money, which I just don't have right now." she said. "Last year, I sent out 17 applications and all of the companies sent back rejection letters except one. One called me for an interview, I went, but I didn't get the job."

Ms. Pottinger has two children ­ a seven year old and a four year old.

"I try my best and get help from friends to take care of my children but the situation seems to get worse ever day. I keep trying though, everywhere I go I ask about jobs." she said.

JAVANA FRANCIS, a 22-year-old past student of Alpha High School for Girls, has been diligently seeking a job for the past 13 months.

She left her job at a law firm in Kingston (where she did clerical work in order to pay for extra classes in her bid to gain more CXC subjects) and Ms. Francis has been in the 'employment wilderness' since then, despite the fact that she has qualified herself in various career disciplines ­ cosmetology and information technology specifically.

"I sent application letters to several places from food manufacturing to teaching to beauty parlours to teleservices, and any and everywhere I think I am qualified for. I get no letter of response and when I go there in person, there are no vacancies," she said. "I am frustrated, I need to gain my own independence, now I have to depend on my parents, and take up certain responsibilities."

Ms. Francis does not intend to give up and is determined to make it despite the odds.