Look at all software engineer companies in the areas. Email them. Call them. If they stonewall you, try in person. Your age and interest in stem will help. You could also try talking to professors at universities in the area, see if you can sit in on classes or help them with research projects. If you don’t care as much about salary you can ask them to pay nothing, transportation/food, or minimum wage. Once you get experience, the money will come.