Employment for graduates

How is a graduate supposed to gain experience once obtaining a Diploma in Graphic design? Just about all the advertisments for positions state that the applicant must have either 1-2 years or 3-5 years experience in the field. How is one supposed to get this experience if companies never offer positions for the newly-qualified, or are prepared to give a graduate a chance and mentor them. All we want is to be given a chance to get going and be creative instead of sending out CV after CV only to be told - "Sorry we want someone with experience".