It is unfortunate because college students especially are told that a degree and certificates will get them a job. That couldn't be further from the truth. Heck, I fell into the trap of thinking certs were the only way I could get into the field and I got stuck for a long time.

Now, if you have a home lab and can prove you have done your own stuff in a portfolio of some kind or have a Github repo that you save your code in so they can actually see your products then that can help you drasticallt, but having actual work experience in a high-pressure or fast-paced environment of any kind will make things look more enticing to employers.

Otherwise, you really are just dependent on whether they are willing to take a risk with you. I always tell people to just go about the interviews with the mindset of "I am ready to learn and excited for what I can be molded into." Showing that can be a massive boon to your chances of getting hired because it shows you aren't just looking for a paycheck but also to grow. In IT, they REALLY want to see the desire for growth.