Started working at the age of 19. I wanted to get a job very soon, and upon checking found that if you do a basic hardware and networking course, you might get a job soon! Finished that and joined my first job as hardware engineer- to install and setup home computers, installing Windows XP and ME (Yeah, some wanted to use that!) Was there for about 8 months and then moved to a different city in India, working as junior system admin. Mostly worked as a one man IT so it had its own perks and pitfalls!
Mostly relied on google search, got later into server administration, then into MAC and Linux administration as well. Still lot to learn but I like what I chose as my career path.