[zenogais]

This is how I bootstrapped my way into a full-time engineering job (note, I also have my BS in Computer Science), I'm sure you could do something similar:

Find some businesses that need some simple, short-term coding work - python work or php work, whatever you know that people need - and, maybe by taking an initial pay hit, get the job and deliver. Do a few of these, charging a bit more each time, and you have a portfolio of professional work. Now you're a professional programmer, you can either continue doing freelance work or apply to full-time gigs with your portfolio of real-world work.

It's not glamorous, it's not quick, but it worked for me.

Some places to look for intitial jobs:

* http://jobs.wordpress.net/

* http://www.djangodevelopers.net/

* http://djangojobbers.com/