I started out as a tester/functional designer at a job ( did some network / helpdesk stuff before that) since they didn't have a lot of developers and none that

I started out as a tester/functional designer at a job ( did some network / helpdesk stuff before that) since they didn't have a lot of developers and none that could program in a modern languages (MUMPS programers) I took 2 weeks off and learned Python after that c#. I went back to school in the evenings where I learn't some Java/SQL etc. and when't to a Cache course now I work at a different company programming Flex RIA's and learning Clojure. So when I started I didn't have experience or formal training but I was some kind of a computer geek BBS/FidoNet FTW! ;)