Started off in a trade school (electronics) in 1972, spent the next 10 years bouncing around computer firms along the Rt.128 technology belt. Got bored.
Spent a few years as an Industrial Electrician, didn't care much for that much. It was either too hot, too cold, too dirty and didn't pay well.
Went back to school (Lowell Technological Institute - L.T.I.) for my B.S.I.T. only to discover I didn't like being an I.T. guy.
Found an opening at an M.I.T. Research Laboratory doing engineering work for the DoD, that was a match.
Stayed there until retirement, some 35 years. Wish I did that first.
All the while I was fixing radios/stereos on the side for friends.
The hobby that turns into an obsession.
I'm working as many hours now in retirement as I did in the trades.
Keeps me out of trouble.