Back-up for equity research

OK so I really dropped the ball on the job finding thing. Now I'm two years out of school and it seems harder and harder to break back in.

I'm interested in research but at this point it seems like I won't have a sure chance anywhere unless I get lucky. I send out about 10 emails a day and it seems like at least the sell-side don't take interns unless it's for summer and everything else is just an analyst desk that opens up in a while.

I'm looking for some other positions that'd be still challenging and interesting but gives future optionality for breaking back into research. I have 2 levels of CFA, went to a target undergrad and now finishing a finance masters. One year experience at a pension fund, nothing that stands out but a lot of general exposure. Invest a lot on my own, look at markets and things like that.

I'd be ecstatic to get a research job, but now I'm being realistic about my chances so if you have an alternative strategy to offer I'd appreciate it. I'm thinking of finance department in-industry, corporate banking. But if there's any other possibilities I'd be open to hearing them out.