I've been in your shoes. Consider leveraging your previous career to gain a position that will allow you to interact with and use SQL Server in an employment setting. There are more than a few DBAs and developers who began as the guy or girl who just was really good at pulling data together from databases and wound up as the de facto administrator for SQL Server. Way back when I had a job in a human services field and computers were a hobby. Then the company I worked for hired a full-time system admin who had never worked in our field. I had enough computer savvy to be the "translator" between him and our management. Eventually it led to me becoming his assistant. Later on I got into desktop/field support full-time. Along the way I created a number of databases using MS Access (don't laugh, guys) and learned the basics of databases and relational theory.

In my current job, I was hired for my desktop experience but my boss was particularly interested in the fact I had some database and VBA experience as well. To make a long story short, today I have a PC at my desk with a developer copy of Visual Studio, which includes SQL Server 2005. I'm entirely self-taught. mostly by devouring Sql Server Books Online, which is included with SQL Server and is also available via MSDN (the MSDN version allows you to select which version of SQL Server you're interested in, which is important because there are still older versions of SQL Server in production use out there). Books Online (or BOL as it is affectionately known in cyberspace) contains a great deal of tutorials and how-tos which will at bare minimum give you a solid, well-rounded knowledge of SQL Server as well as SS Integration Services, Analysis Services and Reporting Services.

At any rate, the point I am belaboring is that the IT world in general is more interested in what you can do rather than what you know. Certifications are fine and I do not in any way wish to dissuade you from your goals, but as others have pointed out finding a way right now to get some practical experience under your belt will not only help you with the exams, but also down the road when you try to land your dream position.

Good luck and go for it.