My first reaction on reading the title is that you don't need to work for anyone in order to work for free for experience. Just work on some project of your own. What you want is to work for free in exchange for mentoring.
Are you sure you read it ? He's got this in there (or was the text edited?)
> would like to gain some programming experience preferably under the supervision of an experienced programmer.
I think that describes a mentoring situation fairly accurately.
If you can find something that interests you a lot, then contact the lead programmer on the project and see if you are welcome to stick your oar in.
Keep in mind that most people will reluctant to do this because most software guys are under serious pressure to deliver and may not want to take on someone that might slow them down.
If that's their worry make sure you tell them they can nix the deal without hard feelings if they feel that's the case, that might give you an edge on the way in.
OTOH I think it doesn't have the same weight to say I worked with x company and trained my skills in z language. As saying I worked at home on hobby projects for the sake of learning.
Being "under the supervision of an experienced programmer" gives you expierence quicker than working alone.
> would like to gain some programming experience preferably under the supervision of an experienced programmer.
I think that describes a mentoring situation fairly accurately.
If you can find something that interests you a lot, then contact the lead programmer on the project and see if you are welcome to stick your oar in.
Keep in mind that most people will reluctant to do this because most software guys are under serious pressure to deliver and may not want to take on someone that might slow them down.
If that's their worry make sure you tell them they can nix the deal without hard feelings if they feel that's the case, that might give you an edge on the way in.