Taken me 11 years to get to this position, thats including a total of 4 years in college.
However, if you pay yourself through your basic courses (Fire Fighting, Basic Survival, Elementary First Aid, Personal and social responsibilities), and then do your efficient Deck Hand course, some company may take you on as an EDH. YOu then need 6 months sea time before you can become an OS. and a further 6 months and a CPSC certificate before you can become an A/B.
Our company only employs officers, as we have no requirement for crew.
But as mentioned, there are companies in local ports who may take on. Not sure really as I've only been wokring coastal for a year, and its wholly different to the 10 years I spent deep sea.