How Can Gen Y beat the Downturn

As a Gen Y'er currently lucky enough to have a job. I can't speak from personal experience, but something I see and know regularly is that there are always ways to make things more efficient and different. Bringing in a Gen Y perspective can often open up idea's that perhaps have never been thought of.
Social Media? What about an Excel Macro to automate that annoying forecast each week.
OnRec.com - has a great article even though it's from the UK, many of the theories still apply.
"How can 'Generation Y' adapt to beat the downturn"
"Current Generation Y graduates and first jobbers - those born between the late 1970’s and 2000 - are being badly affected by staff cut backs. In times of recession the phrase 'last in first out' often rings true for many organisations, and for Generation Y having never experienced a recession the current economic climate may come as a shock."
The owner of my company and my boss always bring about the fact that we've been here before (albeit not necessarily to this extent) but that recessions happen and it often brings about the biggest chances for progress.

One of my favorite quotes is perfect for a time like this economy.

"Only when it gets dark enough can you see the stars." -Russell Lynes

So go out, and be the brightest star in the dark sky.