Originally Posted by TiredSoul

Find an airport job that you could see yourself do for a while.
Anything that keeps you close to aviation. Even TSA, just don’t tell anybody ever.
Plan on your CFI/CFII.
Aim to work at the school where you are training.
MEI you can usually do with sponsorship from the school where you work. Meaning you can do it at cost and you pay back over time.
Teaching a CFI working at my school I would never charge for my time.
Honor among thieves kinda thing.
I literally know half a dozen people that have gotten flying jobs while working as a line guy. Refueling airplanes, parking, cleaning, that sort of stuff.
Know one who got hired straight into the right seat of a Piaggio Avanti with 280hrs while pumping gas and chatting to the pilots. He literally had his interview on the ramp.
It won’t always be good times but it’s all about enthusiasm and perseverance in this industry.
Good luck and enjoy!