Rahul and the recession

Well, much is spoken about the economic downturn. But everything is seen in general terms.I want to share how the recession influenced me in particular.
I am a student of Information technology, an industry purely based on the health of the economy around the world.
The first shock is in the form of reduced employment in the IT and ITeS companies.Everyday, the newspapers highlight the pink slips being given to the employees in IT majors. Immediately, a moral blow in the form of Satyam fraud, made me skeptic about the credibility of IT companies. The biggest is in the form of announcement by Barack Obama,of whom I'm a great admirer, that his stimulus package is not for the companies that outsource the jobs.
I, before the burst of economy, was always in upbeat mood and had high hopes about my future.I would be getting a job in reputed firm, work with regular salary hikes and promotions. Now everything seems shattered.
Still I have a year to go before the campus recruitments begin and two years before I finish my course.I'm optimistic of getting a job but the very idea of failure is keeping me restless.
So I started searching for alternatives. I got many. The first being the Indian Civil Services,
the evergreen and esteemed job in the country. I'm fond of serving the nation and developed the interest right through my education.So I thought it would be better to for me to prepare for the services and started my preparation.The second is pursuing MBA. But it is better after a few years of experience in the industry.The third being M.Tech for which I'm quiet against.
The recession was not entirely bad for me. It gave an opportunity to learn how the economy is controlled by the central institutions, how various sectors from basic agriculture to huge automobile and infrastructure.It instilled interest in me about rather boring economics.
There are thousands of students like me and in the same state as I.It is never helpful breaking down.There are many opportunities at our doorstep provided you open the door.So being optimistic is all we can do, work hard and land in a good job.