With the benefit of hindsight, this is what I would do in your situation: be bold. Don’t start making decisions based on fear at this early stage – you have an entire lifetime to do that. You are young, and now is a great time to take big risks.
The MMM blog is about intentional lifestyle design, so start intentionally designing rather than reacting. If your ultimate goal is to work for a specific employer, sit down and map out a plan. This may not happen overnight, but do not sit back and passively wait for them to call you when a position opens up. Figure out how to make contact with the right folks to simply introduce yourself, even if there aren’t any openings. Invite them to coffee and ask them questions about how they got started, etc. Be extremely prepared and make sure you’ve thoroughly researched them and their company. Ask smart questions. Say thank you and express your appreciation of their time. Follow up in a few weeks with an e-mail saying quick hello and providing a brief status update of something interesting you have read or learned that is relevant to their industry/company or something you discussed previously, etc. Follow up again in a month. If there are still no openings after a month or two, offer to work a 3-month unpaid internship as a low-risk opportunity for them to see what you have to offer. What you learn in the next few years is going to be much more valuable than any paycheck you will get starting out, so I would focus on what you are trying to accomplish in the next two years, as an example, rather than grabbing the first job that comes your way.
Once you’re in, work your ass off. Get in first, leave last, offer up help to anyone that will take it. Learn about the business and either find a niche or go the generalist route, learning a little about everything. Bring a smile, positive energy, and warm greeting to work with you every day. Let your work ethic be noticeable.
Good luck!!