For myself (not the norm) I started out doing technical support for a rather large (money wise) IT training school. Although my title was "Technical Services Rep." My job was probably about 5% technical support and the rest, moving soda, setting up classrooms, pretty much grunt work. Well I was there for almost 2 years. The greatest perk of the job was getting all my certification exams and classes free. I became good friends with the Network Admin. and he taught me a lot.
When the time came around where I wanted to request more money and a different position I was turned down. I knew I wouldn't get anything but a foot in the door with this job so I took my knowledge, certifications and experience and I know work as a Network Admin (the only IT employee, LOL) for a small bank in my area making almost double what I made at my last job.
This is without any college and only 3 or 4 years total in IT (did some freelance web development). Can't wait until I get the time to go back to school.
Stick with it, learn as much as you can in jobs that aren't necessarily system admin jobs. My advice is to look at smaller companies, although pay maybe less you get to learn more and you won't be swamped with work all the time.
Greg Pastorelli, Network Administrator
Pocono Community Bank
MCSE:Security, MCDST, C|EA
Security+, Network+, A+