Wow, you sound just like me a few years ago.

I also finished university with a Biology Degree and started homebrewing with extract and BIAB because of space limitations. My first step after that was to inquire at local breweries to see if I could come in and help out with odd jobs just to learn (basically volunteer labor).

I ended up helping with some bottling runs on weekends at one brewery, helping in the brewery garden at another, and filling kegs at a third. That was all from sending out emails.

The third one left the door open for me in the future and a few months later, I had quit my job and sent them another email. They offered me a 3 month paid apprenticeship with a minimal stipend. After that, I did the ABG program and did a second apprenticeship with that program.

Now I've only got about 5 months experience working in breweries, but I've technically worked in 4 different breweries in 2 different countries. Next month I start as an assistant brewer at a small brewpub. I found that job through one of my contacts at the first apprenticeship brewery. I'm now 26.

By no means am I a seasoned brewer, but I guess what it boiled down to for me was reaching out and being willing to work for little/no pay at first so I could get experience.