So I have been tossing around the idea of 3D modelling as a career. I would mostly want to make models for Video Games, but I realize I probably would have to start small. I have been using blender for a while now and I find that I really really enjoy this. Hours pass so fast. I know you don't have to go to school for it, usually a good portfolio is all you need. But I am not the best at it so I would want to go to school just to learn basic concepts that I don't have from being self taught. I have also heard 3DS Max is pretty much the Industry standard, not sure if that is true, it is just what I heard. And I am guessing any college course is going to teach you 3DS Max. Is it a realistic career path? I realize the pay for something like that varies greatly, but it isn't really about the pay for me, it is about choosing a career path that I will actually like instead of wasting my life away at a factory hating my job like everyone else in my area. I also realize I would eventually have to move if I want to get hired by a studio and I am fine with that. So I am looking for advice on how to pursue this career path, What is the actual title of someone who models thing? is it a 3D artist? And I am wondering about schools because I know a lot of schools that claim to offer degrees in this field are a joke and really only want to svck your money out of your bank account. A degree from most of these schools that offer it is considered useless in the industry from what I hear.

Here are some samples of my work if anyone is interested, do I even have a shot at this?

I just finished this one a few minutes ago (aside from some touch up work) : http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/scottypma/ShortswordAngles_zps422cac69.png

This I made a few months ago, kind of reminded me of a plain Dwemer style for some reason : https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/934607_10151706083937853_1901293505_n.jpg?oh=695a17f5c5a1693894ff705bfddf905d&oe=550850DD

"Energy Shotgun" I was going to put into Fallout NV
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/424162_10150712339052853_1952660681_n.jpg?oh=8141a04ee1ee1387a1eb50a2357cecd3&oe=5503780F

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/418081_10150712338982853_1899440605_n.jpg?oh=45881e0d121ad36dda37309aa5ba95e4&oe=55008FC0&__gda__=1429397967_65c545f6919f69adbc3a8c4a3dd7dfbe

Just a far from complete Hand Gun.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/24133_366224242852_8197842_n.jpg?oh=9f0e60067a183d67b064cb4b3e0c7870&oe=5545870B&__gda__=1429540466_11bc3c9d2cec67fb1a0d94865fb60ef9

As you can tell most of these are incomplete, that is because I lost the files. You may also notice they are all un textured, that is just because I haven't yet mastered texturing in blender. Just shoot some advice at me, good or bad.

Thanks as always.