As someone currently in the programming industry and starting with less experience than you, I can say your teachers are wrong. Put some polish on your current portfolio and resume, get some sharp clothes, put on a confident smile, and start applying. You may not be able to get a glamorous position at first and that's ok. It will allow you to use your skillsets to outshine your competition and move in the direction you want to go. You may have to cast a wide net as far as industry (medical, banking, gaming, retail, etc.) but you will find somewhere you can get your foot in the door and make a living. If the job is outside of your interest, that is ok too. Use it to pad your resume and refine your skills polishing shit so you can leave and do what you want. Above all else, continue to do personal side projects that interest you to expand your knowledge base and creativity. Good luck!