It takes time to find that out Douglas, not just in music. These days I don't know that there is such a thing as a career for life, but you can always pursue what you are passionate about, improving, learning and enjoying, no matter whether you make money from it or not. I think that is often the best approach when starting a career in the arts. Work hard and enjoy, but hedge your bets and make money elsewhere too.
Meanwhile, take a little time, build some contacts locally and via the internet, collab with other writers online if you can't find them locally, do everything you can to make your work attractive to both other writers and to bands that might use the finished songs. You are as you admit yourself at the beginning of the road. Do what you do because you love it and learn all you can. Explore a little, ask the advice of other more experienced writers (there are loads here and we're a pretty friendly and supportive bunch).
No matter if you write a book, or write lyrics, or scripts or advertising slogans, it takes time and effort, contacts and learning to progress to the point where it even becomes possible to decide to make it a career. Your drive and passion for what you do is what takes you to that point and beyond.
What I am saying in summary is, don't put all your eggs in one basket and don't at this stage think "I will write lyrics to make money", although that could be an eventual outcome at the stage you are at it is an unrealistic test and aim. If you wanted to be an indie car driver sure the idea of getting there is a start, but it is a long way from first getting in a car to being in a position to make a living as a racing driver. You have to learn to drive and that learning continues your entire career. For years you pay out, you struggle, you hope to get sponsors etc, usually making money from other jobs, often in related fields. You pay your dues, you work hard in the hope you will be successful, but the first and foremost reason is, because you love it. You would do it as a hobby even if you never got paid, and perhaps that is the ultimate question you can ask yourself, to assess if you would have what it takes to stick with whatever you do:
Would I do this no matter whether I got paid or not?
If the answer is "yes", then stop worrying too much about the money and just get out there and write, learn and network.
If the answer is "no", then perhaps your motivation is wrong and this really isn't something to even consider basing your career on. Write for the fun of it when the urge takes you and move on to considering what else it is you want to achieve in life.
Just my two cents. I recommend asking other writers in our musician's lounge. Start a topic or topics and ask some burning questions, ask yourself some burning questions, maybe even start a blog (here or elsewhere) to explore your thoughts on writing (lyrics, poems, books whatever), and in the short-term suspend the drive to make money at this and look at it through the eyes of your passion again. Making money from what you love is a luxury few achieve no matter what their interests are, but there is absolutely nothing stopping you doing it as a hobby with the view of always improving your future opportunities. That's what millions do whether they are cooks, artists, writers, race car drivers, models, actors.... you get the idea.
Success can be made more or less likely by what you do. Create your own luck by always giving yourself the maximum chance of achieving the best outcome for your goals, and to do that takes hard work and great knowledge (amongst other things). Your journey starts here.
What you are facing is pretty well what we all face or faced. What do I do, what direction do I go etc. It's as old as humanity.
I hope all this helps.