Fixed wing - You work for the smallest operator flying for almost free, in the smallest of planes, the most under-maintained, trying to keep yourself alive on minimum equipment, then work your way up to the bottom of the rung twin, a better twin, a turbine twin maybe and in the end if you are lucky you get to fly a super-safe and reliable airliner.
Rotary - You start in a nice little R44 doing joy flights flying for free, you work your way up to a Squirrel, you then get endorsed for this that and everything, move into high risk jobs, mustering, sling loads, fire fighting etc, then when you have enough hours, you get your most dangerous job flying full IFR off-shore to oil rigs in the most demanding of conditions.
Or, you join the military as a pilot and get shot at, flying fixed or rotary wing, the enemy doesn't care.
Who wants to be a pilot?