as a relatively old person but still young, ok, middle-age person, i had a year of general education followed then by gradual, specific scientific courses.

currently, there is a school which includes IT certification courses so that the college graduates enter IT with no more training at all. it is well and good although the school has to ask for donations.

like the author, i always keep an eye around for free microsoft training, the ones which takes only one- or half-day.