Help From My Fellow Houston Monkeys

Hey monkeys and monkettes from Houston, I'm trying to break into a banking/PE fund/hedge fund position here in town before I apply for b-school later on down the road (at least two years from now). Obviously, such positions aren't listed everyday. Am I correct to assume that it's pretty late in the recruiting cycle for me to make my case at any of the few firms available here? I'm an experienced professional coming for the oil-field/industrial equipment industry (technical marketing position at a F500 firm, electrical engineering from UT, taking some graduate finance courses at UH b/c of my interest in finance). I have worked for 3 years since completing my undergrad. Any idea what the best strategy would be in my quest, or any ideas as to which shops are actively seeking people and willing to take someone with my stats? Thanks for any advice you can give...