Barriers in my Job Search

Though I don't have access to a comparison (that is, detailed knowledge of how other people got their first engineering job) here's some factors that are probably most relevant.

I haven't seen job search advice based upon real people who dealt with a situation similar to mine.

Lack of Relevant Work Experience
I've never had an engineering job or internship.

This shows up on my resume. It's a bit of a self-reinforcing state.

Lack of Network
I don't know a lot of people in engineering of any sort.

I'm pretty sure research has shown that most people who get hired were referred by someone in the company who knew them.