Spent some time actually pondering this question. So I decided to lay it out like this. For someone who spent 7 years after college to finally get my first real CG job as an environment artist, I would say my expectations didn't really change that much as my workload didn't change that much. Basically I worked my butt off for 7 years trying to learn and grow as much as possible every day. When I wasn't doing my day job I was doing 3D stuff or at least thinking about what I wanted to do. When you can't stop thinking about something, you know it is your passion. During this time I didn't spend all that doing actual 3D models. I spent a lot of it studying the world and how everything reacts to each other and how it is built.
I failed A LOT. When I first started modeling I wasn't bad, but I wasn't great. I spent years after college studying the stuff that college didn't teach me. Do I regret going to college? No, as I also learned a lot there as well. Now I had the GI Bill to back me up financially for the most part of my 83k education. A lot of people don't and I highly suggest you take that into consideration before going to a school costing that much as I know a lot of people who graduated with 120k+ in loans and are now not even doing what they went to college for.
I started a fiverr account and it took almost a whole year of me checking it every day to get my first order. But now I get order's all the time and for a constantly raising pay. You also don't necessarily need to work in film, commercial or games. There is so much out there that uses 3D skills now that the list lasts forever. Venture outside of the box. Seek jobs that are in the medical, military, small businesses, architecture, or jewelry. The list just goes on.
Sell everything. I never get why people make things, then refuse to let other's use them. If you have nothing stating that you can't sell it, then do it. For the right price anything will sell. Even if it just a dollar. Most people don't even think about spending less than 3-5 dollars on something. On top of making money, you are gaining exposure and something to talk about in an interview for a bigger job. Every chain starts with one link.
I one day randomly applied for a job that I thought met the expectations of what I can do. Not expecting anything from it, one day I see an email saying they want an interview. I got the job. Probably one of the best days of my life.
All it takes is that first step in the door and a whole lot of luck. Now luck doesn't come every day. Some times like it did for me, it takes years. So don't give up on it. If you see something you want go for it. Apply for the job, even if you don't get the job, at least you know that you tried and one day that trying is what is going to get you to succeed.
After spending so much time just trying to succeed you are basically at the point where it isn't necessarily fun, but at the same time it isn't not fun either. You are doing what you love doing everyday working with people who also love doing what they do.
Putting it into perspective, imagine working in the CG industry and then imagine you working at some call center for 6 years getting half the pay and dealing with crabby people all day. Now you love your job again.
All that being said, you also have to give a realistic look at your own skill's. Don't try and trick yourself into thinking your model's, textures or environments look great if they aren't. Ask for help. I personally look at this page multiple times a day when I take breaks. When I see someone who I think has the will and potential to get better I will help them out. I also still seek help and reviews all the time. It is part of what we do. I have gone as far as duplicating what people have done and even make small tutorials to show them how to do what they are trying to do. At the same time I can sniff out someone who isn't trying like a snap of a finger. Learn to take the good criticism from the bad (not everyone who gives you a reply knows what they are talking about).
As long as you keep trying, one day you will succeed.
"Fall Forward" - Denzel Washington
