They found work in every port, near and far. Every company, whether in the U.S. or abroad, seeks confidence when considering hiring new employees. If you lack it, you will be refused. If you show confidence, it will cover for a multitude of shortcomings in other areas. Confidence will overcome.
Confidence is the great counterbalancing factor for entry level college grads.
When I am interviewing college students for entry level opportunities at my company, one of the first things I look for is confidence. The confidence factor is one of the most quickly recognized skills in the brief on-campus interview and one of the most highly reliable predictors of future performance. Knowing who you are and what you can do. Over and over. Until you are not only confident in yourself, but also able to project that confidence to others.