10 years in catering (a pub kitchen and then a steak restaurant chain) starting as a pot washer, then commis chef all the way to grill chef including stints as acting head chef in a couple of other local restaurants in the chain.
Constant hard graft that had 99% of deadlines measured in single digit minutes not months.
It also meant I had no problems getting part time work whilst at University. I could walk straight back in to the job each term/semester, and also continue work back home during the holidays. I left University almost debt free despite getting no grant[1] and no money from parents (they couldn't afford to).
1. The UK system of subsidising University students that was in place in the 90's. This was the days before there were course fees.