I've been lurking on Slashdot for years too, and I registered an account to answer your question (without being an anonymous coward).
The answer is absolutely yes. Here's the rub - you have to be bright/intelligent/good at what you do. Take a lower, entry level job, do a great job (volunteer for projects, find ways to improve process/documentation etc - without stepping on toes), and you'll rise. Talent gets noticed. I've been hugely successful, without a high school diploma, let alone a degree.
I keep a very open mind when hiring (for my team) and I've been impressed by people without a lot of formal education, and very unimpressed with people who have degrees and certs falling out their... Of course the opposite holds true as well, my point is that intelligence and enthusiasm will win every time.
Slashdot Mirror
I've been lurking on Slashdot for years too, and I registered an account to answer your question (without being an anonymous coward). The answer is absolutely yes. Here's the rub - you have to be bright/intelligent/good at what you do. Take a lower, entry level job, do a great job (volunteer for projects, find ways to improve process/documentation etc - without stepping on toes), and you'll rise. Talent gets noticed. I've been hugely successful, without a high school diploma, let alone a degree. I keep a very open mind when hiring (for my team) and I've been impressed by people without a lot of formal education, and very unimpressed with people who have degrees and certs falling out their... Of course the opposite holds true as well, my point is that intelligence and enthusiasm will win every time.