An awesome read Dan, congratulations on the job front, and im sure after all that hard work, not just you, but your family must be proud of you! And i suppose reassured that you have actually got a job after spending all that money. Im now in the position you was in at the start, ' A very small fish in a big pond'. Having completed my first solo flight 1 month ago (which is an achievement in its own right) feels like it will be forever before i have all the relevant documentation to start applying for jobs.
You should have become an author instead!!!
On a serious note i wish you all the best, and again well done.