In my 41 years in the video production industry I've seen a lot of companies come and go. I've seen a lot of changes in technology, some simply amazing! And, I've seen a lot of videographers enter the profession, and leave it.
In the end, what makes all the difference and what gives someone the motivation to continue year-after-year in this demanding and highly-competitive field, is not one's training, although that is important, and it's not one's equipment, although that too is important. It is simply this... you have to LOVE your work!
Only if you truly love your work - and we do - can you hang in there until you get those many years of experience for which there is no substitute.
Ron Cogan