let me add one thing to this discussion. I always found it helpful (for me and for people i hired over the years - that was in the early 90s where i have run a 3D production facility) was to start as a traineeship. So you can see how a company is working AND the company sees how you are working. I think most people i have worked with - even until today have such a beginning. So the easiest would be to find someone who wants to have you for a limited time (and limited money of course). And if it works, it will go on. But be aware of one thing. Hobby and professional work are totally different things! Working professionally you have to do what the client wants you to do (full stop) and that in a predefined time. Deadlines are the most importing things in our jobs. I think we all have spent a lot of nights in front of our computers in the office to reach crazy deadlines (a lot of clientscome on friday afternoon and the job has to be finished till monday - hurray!). I remember years where i had around 10 weekends free - and no vacations. Well, this can happen.

One day your ship comes in - but you're at the airport.