i went straight into the IT workforce out of highschool on a traineeship program and i learned most of what i now know on the job. I certainly never had any huge expectations of grandiose salary (although many in the same program dropped out when they they realised they werent making big bucks straight out the gate) etc and am quite realistic of real world roles.
The problem with that is now that ive lost my job due to the GEC, everyone wants CS grads! Seems we cant win either way!