Alright, so you've got your thousand or so. It's probably time to look into the GOM or Vegas tours or something like that. Find out what the hiring minimums are for the big players in that area of the industry that you're interested. Once you meet them, follow their guidelines for applying to them for employment.
I've PM'd you some links that will give you more info for this stuff. Having trained for 200+ hours and instructed through 800 odd hours over the past number of years, I would find it hard to believe that you haven't picked up some contacts along the way that would be able to hook you up with an interview or 2. It's time to start making those calls!!