Yes, yes, yes...reading is fundamental (at the risk of sounding redundant). I was in your shoes about 2 years ago. I was working in a Call Center, wanting to be working in IT (something I have pretty much dreamed about since I was 7 - long time ago). I had just started a family, so going back to school was pretty much out of the question. One day, I decided to just pick up a book and read about Networking. It was either Networking for Dummies or Idiots or whatever...anyway, it wasn't the greatest of books, but I had a much better grasp on the concept. I didn't stop there. I kept reading. I was finally able to enroll in a Saturday class for MCP certification in Windows NT, and I passed both my Workstation and Server exams on the first try. By this time, my job had started a pilot Intership for IT. I was all over it! I applied and wrote one of the best "I would like to do this because..." essays I have ever written. They were impressed at my motivation and energy...I got hired as a Tech...more reading...they sent me away for SecurID training...more reading...I wanted to be a Network Admin, but there were many obstacles...more reading...I developed an interest in Network Security...much, much more reading...I applied for an open Security Admin position, but even while I was the top candidate from the inside (so I was told), they hired from the outside...more reading...one of the Security people left to go to the NSA (contracting)...I applied again, and I got the position. Now here I am, still reading, still learning, still a Newbie, but I have accepted the fact that I will always be in "school" while I am in the IT field. It can be done...you don't have to go to school necessarily...heck, you may not even learn well in school, who knows...it's not for everyone, although I would recommend going if you can. I hope we helped you in some way. Good luck with everything!