A natural tendency for actors is to want to book jobs. I think it is a very natural feeling. You get validation for your work. You get paid. You're a "working actor". Jobs, however, are fleeting. A job may be a day on a TV set or a couple lines in a film.
Careers are longer lasting. They are sustainable. They usually come with a solid body of work. There is usually a long line of people who know your work and trust you.
This industry is all about relationships. Having people know, like, and trust you. Days on set are long and having people around who are pleasant to be around is almost as important as talent, if not more.
My suggestion is shoot for a career, and be patient. Things happen. It's a small industry and the more you are around people in it, and more time you take to foster relationships, the more things happen.
I saw this video recently with Tony Robbins of all people, he was talking about investing small at first and in our society of immediate results we think we need to see something right away, but he used this example of betting on golf. Starting with 10 cents on first hole and then doubling the bet each hole. Turns to 20 cents. Then 40 cents. Then 80 cents, $1.60, $3.20, and by the 18th hole you are actually at $13,000 and change. For some reason it related to me on many levels. Not only investing money which I always think is a good thing to start as early as possible, but lots of small things you do, if done right, multiply and before you know it it's like a funnel and speeds up at an accelerated rate.
Example: Say someone all of a sudden books something and they are considered an "overnight success". "Where did he/she come from?" Everyone may ask. That may have been a 10 year career in the making. If that person is 17, if you do some research on them, they probably started at 7. I'm going to venture and say 90% of the time.
There are a few reasons why I think this is, and also why you should embrace it.
1.) Careers take time. - Look at any profession. Doctor, Lawyer, Chiropractor. There is a process. Even when you are done with your degree there is usually an apprenticeship and you start out at the lowest ranks. Even though it may seem more clear cut the same principles apply. You gain the skills and knowledge, get to know the right people, and become known for your work. As you start out you should be doing a number of things, no matter where you live. There are classes in every city for actors, schools, casting directors, casting director workshops, improv classes (which I recommend every actor to do and at least try in addition to your weekly scene study class because they work different muscles that in addition to each other can be very helpful), seminars, screenings, etc. You will meet a lot of people in the same boat as you and at the same level. You will create real bonds with some of them and it's key to stay in touch with them. If you are serious about your career, you will come across others with the same drive as you. They may not just be actors, but also producers, writers etc. If those people are serious, where do you think they will be in 10 years. They may be in a position to help you out, and vice versa. You may collaborate on a project, they may have some key relationships beneficial to you, you may find yourself in a position where they can hire you.
2.) Relationships take time. Just like you are not going to marry someone you just started dating, or trust them with the keys to your house, your not going to trust someone automatically when there is tons of money and people's time on the line and when your own job depends on it. Unfortunately in this business you get a lot of what I like to call weirdos. People that just want to be famous for the sake of being famous and not really have respect for the craft of acting. If you are wanting quick success and fame at a young age that is the wrong mindset to have. Starting an acting career you should think of yourself doing it at 40 or 50. If you still want to do it then, you are on the right path. If you only want to be "famous" then there's a bunch of other things you can do besides acting. The line I always use is "If I wanted to be famous I would swim across the Hudson River naked" That would make you famous, at least for a short period of time. There's also reality TV. People need to know you and trust you and just like with any career that takes time. Most of the time its years before your fully trusted.
3.) Craft takes time. Your not a head chef in your first year, your not the foreman of a construction job right off the bat, and your not the CEO of a company right after you get a business degree. Yea you have some business being there, in some aspect. It's usually the low level jobs though to prove yourself and work your way up. Same aspect applies.