It wasn't particularly difficult for me, and I don't think I'm particularly exceptional. I was working phone support for nine bucks an hour; as soon as the bos

It wasn't particularly difficult for me, and I don't think I'm particularly exceptional. I was working phone support for nine bucks an hour; as soon as the boss noticed I was a passable C and Perl programmer, I got my programming job. (It was a while longer before I got paid like a programmer... but my point is that if you have the skills, and if you are willing to work for below-market wages, it's not too difficult to get the experience.)