Learn from the mistakes of others

It was actually the old Institute that directly supplied industry. I remember interviewing for programmers for a project; the candidates from Adelaide & Flinders usually couldn't write a simple test program, although the ones who did usually had innovative solutions to the problem, whilst the University of South Australia (the old Institute of Technology) could write code (which, while generally not brilliant, did the work). Guess who we hired.

Unfortuneately, in the modernization that's been occurring in Commonwealth Universities since the Thatcher era, these vocational educational institutions have been "upgraded" to the more academic institutions, usually by seriously downgrading the practical aspects of the education. For example, a third of the practical experience in the old radiotherapy courses here was lost when it was upgraded to a degree course, in favour of academic subjects not related directly to radiotherapy, but considered to enhance the degree nature of the course. Similiarly, I won't repeat the comments that most of my mother's old friends (who usually occupy CNC positions these days) have concerning the uselessness of degree nurses (especially when it come to getting their hands dirty).

As to overqualifications, there are a number of reasons this may affect you.

1. The public sector is (was, soon) required to pay you according to your qualifications, regardless if your qualifications are directly applicable, and even if you want to work for less. However the budgets for government departments are usually set for the lowest possible qualifications for the position. Thus you can get in trouble with HR if you hire someone overqualified for a position. I've encountered this a number of times.
2. Many employers without experience with university graduates will think they are brilliant and creative individuals who will be bored doing manual labour. This is generally more of a student summer vacation problem, but it still exists. Even if you do like working with your hands.
3. The individual doing the hiring might be insecure in their position and feel you might be a threat. Of such things are office politics made. Which is why I avoid them like the plague.
4. And once you reach a certain level of paper, employers will begin to wonder why you haven't got the matching job experience. Perhaps there is a reason he is still unemployed. Where is his stick-to-it-iveness.
5. Finally, most jobs at the level you are looking at (with your qualifications) generally require the applicants to already be known to the employers (or their aquaintances). There have been a number of times where I have had to give my resume to the secretary on the way in to the job interview. It's not a question of what you know so much as who you know. And whether your selection of appropriate blackmail material is capable of landing you the position. <grin>

Another advantage of actual volunteer work (as opposed to paid volunteer work) is that it enables you to make the contacts you need to spring into a career, although a career these days is getting harder and harder to find. I don't think I'll ever escape from soft-money contracts (it's not quite as bad as it was when I was a researcher in science, but it's still there.

I'd suggest going into business for yourself, but I gather you need more practical time before you are qualified. Still, there is always conveyencing... <evil grin>