As with flying the first job is always the hardest to get. I started out doing NT4 rollouts and then started doing more and more of the server stuff and trouble shooting. Now i am working supporting a 1800 user unix / NT network in a R&D enviroment which is good fun.
To be honest the exams are nice to have but after the first job you are running on how well you did it. They like to see people getting extensions because it means you must have been doing something right.
The reason why IT contractors are a bit different to the locals is the amount of broard experence you pick up. So if something nasty comes up the liklyhood is that you have seen the solution or heard of it a few jobs ago.
The other bit of advice i can give is don't shag the locals. It causes hug problems and pisses everyone off. The bosses can't bebothered with the hassel and they can always get another contractor or there is huge amount of tears when you move on to a 7*12hr week and you start forgetting where you mother lives never mind that you have a SO. (I learn't the hard way)
Have a look at
www.jobsite.co.uk or
www.jobserve.co.uk
The quicker you get your CV out the quicker you can dump IT and fly.
As for me after finishing i should imagine that i will have to do a few months more to keep the money coming in while the CV's are winging there way to peoples buckets.
Good luck
MJ