XPro's can do things rookies can't. If you can solve their complex problems you are NOT a rookie. Many college grads are a mile wide and an inch deep in their ability to identify solve real business problems. In fact the reason want ads specify experience is that companies can not afford to hire people that can't solve their complex problems. The number one secret to differentiate your self from other college grads is developing detailed answers to their complex problems that they do not have answers too.
Students have a lot of fee time to focus on one issue.
XPro's are often sympathetic to college students and will help them and give them information they might not share with others. Bring it to the interview as part of your portfolio to show that the level of your work meets XPro standards Co-write an article with a XPro for a magazine, journal or newsletter. In summary being experienced is more than the number of years on the job. You could have had many years of unsuccessful experience or the experience could be out of date because of the speed of change in our business environment. If you fail to grow on the job you might really have one years experience 10 times rather than 10 years experience.