They're entering a tough job market with plenty of hope but limited opportunities. Coastal Carolina University will hold its fall graduation Saturday, and many of the grads have a long wait before landing their first job.

The Christmas tree at CCU's career services office has a lot of presents underneath. But there's just one gift graduating seniors really want this year...a job.

Career Services Director Tom Woodle says grads are well aware of what's ahead of them. "We tell them, our students, that you should be looking at anywhere from 8 to 12 months for a job search in this economy."

Woodle says internships and networking are critically important. Senior Roosevelt Corbett has done both. He's learned how to network with fellow students in fraternities and clubs and he's worked several internships. "It all depends on the connections that you made while you're in college, which I feel is most important."

Corbett has worked with the new NASCAR Motorsports marketing program at CCU. He says it's about being willing to think outside the box, because he knew nothing about nascar before his internship. "But now I have actual contacts from actual NASCAR headquarters, so don't be afraid to do something that you're not used to."

Woodle says grads used to be able to go straight into their given field after graduation. Now, he encourages them to be flexible, to look for something to just get their foot in the door. "They may be looking at a career that wasn't exactly what they wanted and not making exactly what they thought they were going to make to begin with."

Roosevelt Corbett has a marketing degree and no jobs lined up but he's optimistic. And he says any job experience is good experience, to learn how to work with people.. even if it's a fast food job.

426 students will graduate from CCU Saturday. Another 45 will get graduate degrees.