smallfries>
I would suggest working for a smaller company...maybe 1-10 employees to get your feet wet.
Get to know the owner really well and how he handles the work.
Anyway, the smaller the company the more diversity in the work you do.
Another suggestion would be to try to get on the ground floor of any company you decide to start with. The earlier you start with a newer company the more likely you are to be able to have a substantial ownership provided to you for the risk involved.
Just some thoughts coming from someone who works at a 100-200 employee company. Its good to be apart of decision making process when it comes to wherever you decide to work. That ends up being the most important thing IMO and the most rewarding aspect to me.
I have looked for several small businesses to work at but it is very hard to almost impossible here in Indiana. Problem is I have a few really good ideas but I'm trying to find a couple mentors to really help me get started. But, once again, it is very hard in Indiana. People are just different here. That's all I have to say.