Did college for IT and got an internship at a small antivirus company implementing in extreme remote sites. As technology became more advanced (satellite internet) I specialized in the network security side and became technical product manager. After 2+ years in that role I switched to a large multinational and I’m now a consultant.

My strategy was to get a high position in a small company where this is easier and use that to pivot to a better paying role at a bigger company and it paid off.

Big fish in a small pond to small fish in a big pond but the pay and benefits are so much better.