I only have one project management certification. From what little I've heard about the career track the PMP's I've worked with take, generally they get their PMP as a consequence of already essentially doing that job at their place of employment, and so get their employer to pay for their classes so they can do their existing job better. I don't know anyone who chose it as a profession, became certified, and then got a job as a PMP with no prior experience.
If you are already doing a bit of project management, or see the need within your company, talk with them and see if you can convince them of the need the company has for a dedicated PMP. Make sure you've done enough research to convince them how much it will affect the bottom line, and in what concrete ways it will do so. You may be able to get them to pay for some or all of your training and certification if they don't already have an education budget/credit/program.
Beyond that, good luck! Project management seems like and interesting career path, and coupling it with your existing experience and knowledge in another professional field where PM is needed is a great combination.