Convo with Joe H - won't be hired as an Illustrator?

I feel like me and Joe are on the complete same wave length in terms of our concerns about the future. 

This is the reason why I haven't wanted to start sending my work to employers etc for design jobs, because I honestly just don't think I'm ready and neither is my portfolio. This has just reconfirmed my worries. 

I want to work in an agency and if they don't hire illustrators then I need to be a designer? That's really the be all and end all. So, like Joe, I really need to just start building a design portfolio as soon as possible. Not sure if it's worth me starting before the end of my degree though? 

I'm starting to feel a bit less worried about time now though - Obviously I'd like to get to my dream career as soon as possible but I understand that it will take time and dedication, so as long as I have something that can keep me afloat while I continue to improve my portfolio, then i'll get there eventually.