I started as a data entry clerk in a medium sized global manufacturing company while on the summer break from my University studies in Computer Science. When they found out what I could do, they gave me a few programming projects and I did them so well they invited me back to work for them in the next break, and then when I'd finished Uni offered a full time job.

I accepted and in time got promoted so am now their top programmer and in charge of the sysadmins. The job is pretty good, I get to work on all sorts of diverse stuff all over the company, and travel abroad on business a lot.

All in all, a very lucky break.