I started programming at 13 when a friend introduced me to BASIC. I only got started because I wanted to make video games. After graduation, I landed by first professional job at a mobile video game start up. Like all start ups, it flopped and I proceeded with two other co-workers to try the same thing again. Sufficing to say, even with a great original game developed, we were starved (literally) and had to get real jobs.
I am now on my fourth "real" job company in Santa Clara. =)