[B]C180,[B] nothing has changed in my 50 years in GA. You are either just plain lucky to be in the proverbial right place at the right time, or, you have contacts and some form of pathway into it.
As others have clearly indicated - aviation isn't a lot different to any other industry. You don't get into research anymore without a PhD - once it was just a 1st degree. The bar has been raised throughout our society because there are ever more of us - and a shrinking pool of jobs. Of course the minimums have risen - and they will continue to do so while society is producing too many aspirants for certain careers.
It's tough - but get over it!