entry level vuln assessment/pen tester

[pfohjo () gmail com]

I am IT professional with am MS in CS (with specialization in security) which I received about a year ago.  The work 
that I have done up to this point and the work that I am doing now is more in security systems (e.g. we are currently 
working on a platform for secure dist. systems).  I am starting to realize that the work I would really like to be 
doing is more in the direction of vulnerability assessment/analysis, pen testing, or incident response.  

My current position would not let me transition into such a position since it is simply not something they do.  My 
question becomes this:  Could anyone give me some tips or guidelines for transitioning into such a position having no 
formal experience?  I believe that my CV is quite competitive and I do have what I would consider the basis which I 
need, but where do I start?  What kind of positions do I look for?  Though I got my degrees in the States, I am 
currently in Europe and would like to avoid another larger move, so does anyone know of firms in Europe where I might 
have a good chance starting?

I apologize if this is a little of-topic, however I figured looking for an entry level IT security position falls most 
appropriately under "Security Basics"

Thanks