First off, definitely continue to live your life and find another job in the meantime. Although some people get lucky, I'd plan on a minimum 6 month wait to go through the background checks and get an academy class date, but it could take a year or more. Considering this was the first panel you applied to, you probably don't fully grasp how lucky you are. There are people who went to school for this and have applied to 7+ panels and still haven't found themselves in the position you're in. I hope when you say, "I can't necessarily wait for a year or a long period of time" you mean you can't wait without finding a filler job and not if I can't get started in a few months I won't pursue this at all.
In terms of experience, as long as you're the type of person who will buckle down, study, work hard, and take constructive criticism, you have a decent shot at being successful. If you're completely new to aviation in general, find your closest FAA airport (or center depending on your TOL) near where you live, contact them, schedule a tour and see what it's like. I fell in love with the job after I first toured and couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life now.
