Jobs for professional pilots are few and far between. Helicopters are a   

Speak for yourselves. I've had a great helicopter career. I am civilian-trained and have been flying for 43 years with no incidents or accidents. Sure, when I first started out I didn't make much money but I was in my early 20s and single. ended up making around 200K annually and that was in the late 90s on. I also have a great retirement package, including health insurance. Got to work all over the US, Mexico, Alaska and even China. I've been fortunate enough to work in five different national parks. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

If you have a passion to fly, don't let any of the Debbie Downers disilusion you. Go for it and make your flying career everything you hoped for.