Tips/Advice? Unisa Comp Sci student (software eng.) graduates next year

[i_need_adsl]

Hey all. Hopefully this is in the correct forum. I was tempted to post it in the Software section but chose here. Mods, please move if this is the wrong section.

I'm currently a Unisa student, doing my BSc in computer science, and if all goes well I will graduate next year, majoring/specializing in Software Engineering. I need tips on how to get my foot in the door. I don't want to wait till after graduation to possibly look for jobs. I'm not that young (will turn 30 this year), with a few years IT tech experience (which was years ago) and currently not doing any fancy jobs. Just managing to get by on anything I can. I'm not yet financially stable and my CV is not all that stellar.
I was thinking there must be some companies that can bring me into their fold while in the final phase of my BSc. Any tips/advice for me? How did you manage to make it into the dev. industry? I'm trying to network and have attended a few dev events, but have not had much luck in getting in the industry.

Any tips/advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Wyzak]

Try and at least get some experience in the field before you do your honours etc. Whilst honours is still okay it is difficult for companies to hire people who have honours, masters etc but lack experience.