I second, third and fourth the comment about debt. Assets such as home or vehicles, or investments such as education or possible small business loan (if you have a marketable idea), are about the only "good"/worthwhile kinds of debt. Debt can f*ck up your life for decades, and it's a very difficult hole to dig your way out of. Screw sex ed (pun not intended), I think financial management should be taught beginning at first grade.
Don't be afraid to take 'placeholder' jobs. I took a job as third shift at a C-store right after college, and within four months I was a certified manager. Pay sucked, and when I moved I transferred to a totally crappy store, but I learned a lot from that experience. You never know where you will end up....I got on with my current company, as mentioned earlier, as a temp CSR making nine bucks an hour....I'm now 12 years in and have been promoted three times and really had no concept back then that my current job even existed. I'm also getting my name out there in a positive way which always helps.