Yeah I agree its a tough industry to break into. I started out in Photoshop 3 nearly ten years ago and did some freelance stuff,
I taught myself 3d from a free package on a magazine. I did a two month course in 3ds max, I think it was version 2. Then I got a lucky break, and it was lucky at the time, doing 3d evironments and some characters for a 3d cartoon strip in Lightwave!!!! But then i saw Maya and what it could do so persuaded my Boss at the time to get it and worked my arse off for 4years learning all sorts of stuff.

But like Kurt I love to model and texture, but as of late have got heavily into characters rigging and mel (which is a BIIIIIG learning curve)

I have been lucky, but if I could do it differently I would get a short , but good showreel ( animation) together and put that out there, and maybe choose the animators path.

Jango