Youngsters who cannot take their licenses and hop into the drivers seat of a new plush S-76(plug for Nick) sometimes get discouraged.
Personally I think one should look at the industry before dumping a big debt on ones life. If its what you want to do, so be it, but dont whine down the road as many here have laid it all out before that Helicopter Careers are not easy street.
Today, the best bet for building time is going the instructors route, if you dont have a rich uncle. It will get you up the ladder to your first turbine job and usually after 3-4 years you can call your own shots. The Instructor route also keeps your face in the books and gives you that head start towards an ATP. (Also stylish to have these days). Get a degree in their while your climbing that ladder, maybe even an A/P. We are talking at least a ten year, Im improving myself lifestyle.
www.erau.com will give you an idea or two.
You can then fall into the rut of the grass is greener at another company and continue adding business cards to your stack of old ones until you are the old one who still cant retire. DONT let that happen. Some is luck, some is skill, some is being at the right place, but most is persistance. Dont be afraid to have the door close on you a few times. Just learn to put your foot in there a bit and make them close the door.
If you want to do this type of work, you cant be a whiner. Get your Nose in the wind and move forward.