What a load of old rowlocks............
I was 20 when I started bush-flying in Kenya , by the time I was 24 I was a veteran , and we had no GPS , maps of any use etc , no turboprops , lots of exciting times , but loads of commonsense when the going got tough got the job done safely .Just stick to your principles , you will be fine.
I moved to Malawi and managed to combine airline jet flying with some piston work . Great times indeed .
Just keep bothering whoever you want to work for , they will love you for it in the end !! Good luck.