Started learning to programme (in house) in my 3rd year of apprenticeship in '92.
4th year they let me loose on the vmc's and vertical borer.
A few other jobs over the years as programmer/operator.
Found another job later supervising a small shop with 2 lathes and 2 vmc's. After 5 years (3 more lathes, 2 more vmc's) I nearly went crazy programming everything, setting everything, running, planning, consumables etc,etc.
I have a cruisey job now with 3 Okumas and a Haas, basically to myself.
I found this site a few days ago and with some help from KIWI, I've done my first bit of 3D machining (I've never used any cam software).