When caught in an awkward conversation with a casual acquaintance, we sometimes find ourselves filling the deafening silence with mediocre, one-size-fits-all questions.

When you're a freshman, the same question always materializes: "So, how do you like Penn State?"

You happily launch into a few comments about how great the freedom is, how your classes aren't too bad and how your roommate is driving you crazy.

When you're a sophomore or junior, the questions are a little less predictable, usually focusing on summer job or internship prospects. Still, it's easy to come up with an answer that will appease the questioner.

Then senior year hits, and, again, the question is always the same, only it's magnified with importance -- and it's difficult to skirt.

"So, what are your plans for after graduation?"

In a world of mundane small talk and polite chatter with acquaintances, it seems like a simple question. However, in the presence of a totally crunched job market and uncertain job conditions, it does not have a simple answer for many college seniors.

For the seniors who have it all figured out, maybe it's a chance to speak effusively about their job opportunities. For the slightly less prepared, it's a dreaded subject.

Nationwide, it appears that the giant question mark of post-college life is a common concern. A poll conducted by mtvU and the Associated Press, which was released in May, found telling results: More than 60 percent of seniors are anxious about not finding work after graduation.

Naturally, this sense of fear is stemming in part from an economy that is in serious disrepair.

This is especially apparent by looking at the September employment figures for the United States, which were released on Friday. According to an article on CNNMoney.com, the latest statistics report some disheartening facts about the U.S. economy.

We're experiencing a 26-year high of unemployment, at 9.8 percent. It hasn't been this high since June 1983, when my parents were still fairly fresh out of college. The statement also reported the dismal news that the average work week has decreased to a record 33 hours, and 9.2 million workers seeking full-time employment can only find part-time employment.

Sure, the statement points out the bright side of the situation: Most economists are convinced that the United States is currently headed into a recovery. Still, job losses are expected to persist through the recovery, when many seniors will be looking for jobs.

The CNN article also quotes one Tig Gilliam, CEO of Adecco Group North America, who attempted to offer some calming words of inspiration.

"Let's not panic about this report," he said. "It's really not getting worse in most respects. We should see an end to job losses by the end of the year. I expect in three to four months, we'll be talking about jobs being added. I hope."

These uncertain twists and turns of the U.S. economy are only exacerbating the uncertain feelings of seniors who don't know what they're doing after graduation. In reality, the seemingly casual question about post-college plans is not so casual.

Admittedly, I'm part of that 60 percent that is a little apprehensive about life after college. Some days, I think that I'd rather be asked about famously taboo topics like politics or religion than my plans for May. However, I'm still editing my resume and holding out hope that the economy will turn around by the spring, as predicted.

At the same time, I recognize the repercussions of asking seniors such a loaded question. In today's economy, it sometimes doesn't have a very lighthearted answer.

But go ahead and ask a freshman whatever you want. If you're also part of that anxious 60 percent, hearing someone else's roommate drama might brighten your day by comparison.