A surging number of graduating seniors are vying for paid and unpaid (internships) and positions with

nonprofit groups, and applying to the government-run Peace Corps, Teach for America and (Americorps).

All the programs have more applicants than (available spots), President Barack Obama said in a speech

April 21 in which he signed (legislation) to quadruple to 250,000 the number of position in Americorps.

"They're going to be making (subsistence wages), but they're doing something very gratifying until the job

market improves," University of Wisconsin (career counselor) Randy Wallar said.

At campus job fairs, some students come away (disappointed) at the few positions offered as employers

have cut back (recruiting budgets). But employers make an effort to have a presence so as to be in

position to compete for workers once the economy recovers.

The huge American (baby boom) generation will be retiring in coming years, and the generation

emerging from college is only one-third the size so (competition) for their services promises to be fierce.