Well . . .
Yo goldwing,
There are basically 4 streams:
1- Get Hired into the right seat (preferably turboprop/jet)
2- Work in the bush flying floats/skiis. (get lots of PIC)
3- Flight Instructing (Ok for about 1,000 hrs)
4- Military
I am roughly your age, and have been flying since 1975. I am closing in on 12,000 hrs.. I get asked this question frequently by people starting out in this industry, and inevitably I give them this answer.
The number 1 way to success in aviation is: Perserverence.
Don't let someone try to step on yr dream. From time to time when you get thrown a curve (there are lots of curves in this industry), pick yourself up, dust yourself off . . . and get back in the race!
Cheers,
Mark