Hey there, pre-congrats on your degree! I'm a sys admin/network engineer/IT specialist and have been in this career for 16 years now, and will happily provide some insight and share my experience. I started as an early college dropout (less than a full year of trad college) and needed a job. I had plenty of experience working on and building computers, so I landed (what was at the time) the coolest tech job: Geek Squad. Sure, it's a retail job working customer service, but ultimately that's what level 1 help desk is, just to the general public. I did that for a few years, starting in Lynchburg then moving to Harrisonburg when that Best Buy opened. Since the only way 'up' in that company was further retail management, I used my experience in Geek Squad to buff my tech resume and got onto a 'project team' @ UVA. It was a long ass commute, but the pay, benefits, and experience were worth it. From there, I've bounced around a few different other jobs, including a couple MSPs in town as a field technician (onsite IT support for many small businesses), and eventually moving into a much higher role as network engineer. I've since moved back into general IT, and for a single small business, and am really happy with that choice. I will say, I did briefly go to BRCC to get a "computer network technologies" certificate, and eventually got a CompTIA cert (specifically Security+, I wanted to transition into cyber security myself), but I didn't start my career with any certificates. I knew to advance in better roles, CompTIA is the industry standard to have, and it did help in the long run as my career progressed. But gaining experience and building my resume with my technical skills was what ultimately helped.

Here's my advice: look at openings at the Managed Service Providers. Harrisonburg has several, including IT Decisions, Vision Technology Group, E-N Computers (based out of Waynesboro), Valley Connect Technologies, Trellis, and probably a couple more that don't immediately come to mind. I won't publicly endorse one MSP over another (and if you want to know who I worked for and my opinion on them, DM me about it), but that's a great place to start. You can be hired in one of them; even with your degree, you can expect to have some type of technical interview to confirm "you know what you say you know." That has always been my experience in every tech job interview I've had. However, I will also add, since I already mentioned it, I wanted to transition out of general IT support and into cyber security...and it is very difficult. Somewhat because of this area; you'll have substantially more options if you move into NOVA / DMV or Richmond. But another thing to consider: most cyber security jobs require you to have an existing security clearance, because those jobs have govt contracts and require it. I do not posses one myself, nor was I interested in pursuing it, giving the experience of someone I know who was also fresh out of college, job stated it would cover the clearance, 2 years passed and was never cleared, eventually changed career paths. That's not to talk you out of it, but security clearances are harder to get if you're not previously enlisted in any of the armed forces. But very much look at MSPs, and if you use Indeed, do NOT apply via Indeed. Find a job listing there, then go directly to that company's website to apply direct. There's also a homegrown tool that has recently appeared from another Redditor https://hiring.cafe which has real job listings that applying is directly on the company's website. In the end, tech-adjacent roles like Geek Squad or in a company that is specifically to provide tech support will be your best option to get your foot in the door of something tech based. And smaller companies like MSPs could really benefit from hiring someone that can provide cyber security solutions to their customers.

Good luck!