Meg, I don't think it was meant as a way to solve her problem finding a job. I think, from what she said, that it is intended to be a statement to the end that free trade isn't doing her any favors and that if everyone does it in attempt to make that point, it might be useful. It's no different than a letter writing campaign.. just has a minor fresh twist to it. I don't see the harm in it. And whether it is effective or not is debateable - which seems to have been, in part, her point for discussion.
You think she was that smart? That intelligent? That mature and devious in her thinking? She was a recent college graduate for Pete's sake!