Originally from the country above the US.  :-)
 
Started off as a licensed electrician, with supplementary training in industrial automation, controls and electronics.

Backed my way into computer industry on two fronts - on the job, started using terminals to program, and at home started buliding computers as a hobby (my first was a Heathkit).

Eventually both sides (job & hobby) merged, became a CNE in early nineties (current to 5.x), MCSE in the late nineties (current to Win2K Server), Cisco CCNA, have multiple CompTIA certifications (A+, N+, S+).

Staying busy - have multiple PC lab on rollaround rack c/w 2501 (all courtesy of customer cast-offs, plus marching orders from better half to keep costs down [grin]), try to work out, and chase wife and three cats [task order may change...].

And now living in the Cayman Islands... roughing it.