At loose ends as my senior year in high school passed (long story, short on ambition), I defaulted in to taking a scholarship at the local community college, of

At loose ends as my senior year in high school passed (long story, short on ambition), I defaulted in to taking a scholarship at the local community college, offered to the top 10% of local high schools. A software engineer moonlighting as an adjunct taught my first course in programming (in FORTRAN, on punched cards, no less!). Somehow, he conveyed an enthusiasm and an understanding that inspired me to continue, to pursue and obtain a BSCS at a state U, and to have a happy career as a developer. I owe it all to Community College (and a whole series of other supportive events).