Yeah, it didn't hurt that my interest co-incided with history.

But there are lots of professions that can start as teenage interest. A friend of mine was obsessed with birds, he went into nature conservation, started in a bird reserve, and has had a long career climbing the ladder in that space. And also tour-guides bird watchers.

Sure, not everything works out, but if you can turn your fun into your job, then you're one off the lucky ones.