First Post!
I echo all the above.
My chosen career path was not ATPL though, it was military through and through. I didn't want to go to university so I worked in bank data entry, 999 call handling and then I got a job on a GA airfield in Flight Ops. As well as manning the air-ground radio I sold flying lessons, trained as a firefighter (in a converted kebab wagon) and was general dogsbody. Well worth the experience! And I only got that job through word of mouth from a mate on an FAA PPL course at AAA in San Diego (anyone remember them?!) Attitude and adaptability are EVERYTHING.
After all that bouncing around I joined the RAF and had to unlearn the bad habits I picked up from PPL flying...!