Ok Sam some advice....find some one in business, doesn't matter who, friend of a relation whatever, see if they need a desktop system. Generally any small business will be keen on something like Sales Analysis or Customer retention.

Offer to do the system for nothing. That's right write them a free piece of software. Then use this site as a reference when contacting employees.

The above works, l used it to get my first job with vb.
Employers kind of like it if you can show initutive, and a sales orientation.

Another Idea if you get an interview with an Employer who turns you down, (would have to be a turkey in todays market). Ring them up every couple of weeks to see if they are hiring...wear the bastards down