Getting into AM without experience

Hello

I very recently graduated from a semi-target university (UK) with a finance degree and I came top of my class, I also wrote my thesis on AM. That's good but in the exams I took at 16 I got very average grades, not horrible but probably below what the typical AM analyst has.
The issue is that I don't have any decent experience in AM. I got interested in it a little too late and thus I didn't apply for any internships in my second year and I didnt get anywhere with the graduate programs. I did an insight week at a small AM/WM but they don't run their grad program every year.
I haven't had any luck with graduate analyst jobs and a significant amount ask for at least 1 years experience or if I get interviewed they say they went with the person who had more experience.

I am not certain as to what I should do. In the meantime I have secured a research role for a small finance firm owned by a medium size bank that involves researching their corporate clients. I am looking forward to it but I am still set on AM.
What are my chances considering my experience?
Is it worth trying the intern/grad programs again or will they only take students in their penultimate/final year?

Feel free to be brutally honest.

Thanks