Perseverance is the key. I left school at 18 with two crap A levels and went to work for an exec charter/flying club mob at Cranfield. I kept writing to every airline in the South East and Midlands and eventually got in with a big charter airline at Luton, working as an Assistant. I've since moved up to within grasp of Controller level (in 5 years), gained a PPL through the company and loads of other experience.
When your new, forget what the old cynics say and go for it. Choose where you want to be and stick with it.. It'll work eventually. Overall, its not a bad life..!