I didn't pursue acting as a career until I got my first job. I didn't think I could make a living at it. You hear such horror stores about how hard it is to get work as an actor. It is hard, but I decided to roll with it.
The soaps are great training. You can form good habits - or you can form bad habits. You have to set your goals. If you're not clear on what you want, you can slip into bad habits. It can become a comfortable place and you don't grow.