Barriers in my Job Search

Though I don't have access to a comparison (that is, detailed knowledge of how other people got their first engineering job) here's some factors that are probably most relevant.
I haven't seen job search advice based upon real people who dealt with a situation similar to mine.
==Lack of Relevant Work Experience==
I've never had an engineering job or internship.
This shows up on my resume.  It's a bit of a self-reinforcing state.
==Lack of Network==
I don't know a lot of people in engineering of any sort.
I'm pretty sure research has shown that most people who get hired were referred by someone in the company who knew them.