[lojack]

Are you looking for Python jobs exclusively? In learning python you've likely already developed the skills necessary to pick up other frameworks and languages, so consider broadening your search to include those jobs.

I'm personally more than willing to hire developers with experience outside of my companies primary stack. Also very open to junior developers without production experience.

No need to work for free (actually, I'd highly advise against that). Just keep looking for junior dev jobs. And, if you're main concern is getting better, make sure the company has other developers better than you.