NEED EXPERIENCE

If any one is willing to help or mentor me it would be greatly appreciated. I need guidance on how to enter the IT field as a DBA/Programmer. I deal solely with MS Access at work so I am restricted. I need experience, I will take it in any form. I have 1 yr left at Devry university, but still need applicable experience to be marketable. I am in the US Navy awaiting seperation (1 1/2 yrs left). Any guidance or projects would help. Thanks.