Talk to some local non-profits and see what they need in the way of applications. Offer to write something for free in your spare time. Many of them will take the offer.

>When I was new at FoxPro I wrote a utility program that was published in FoxTalk and then picked up for a book called "Exploring FoxPro." There weren't 54 authors but pretty close.
>
>My renumeration? Two free copies of the book, LOL. It was a major career shift for me and looked good on the resume.
>
>I am going a little crazy trying to figure out my next career move. I know what I want it to be, .NET, but am not sure how to pull it off. All I need is a foot in the door. The normal job applications aren't drawing flies because everyone wants work experience and I don't have it.
>
>Thinking out loud .... I will do outsourcing work for a song to get some experience. That must seem like a good deal to someone here.