Agreed. You might have trouble getting a job with GloboCorp but you should have no problem finding work with small businesses. If you are great at what you do and can create value for their business then people will be scrambling to pay you in whatever way possible.
Good point on the scrambling, never saw it that way.
I have a passion for learning everything around the industry, I have been commended for my work ethics and design skills regularly by peers and professors.
Same - I am in a similar position.. I had to take MBA classes and get into a CPT program. So officially I am doing a paid internship.. Companies will agree to work with you if you're good..