And of course, degree or not, your fellow workers feel much better working with a knowledgeable, friendly and supportive person.
Of course, there are few employers who will take the time required to orient and valuate a self-taught person. So then the wise decision is to get the prerequisites, enter a post-secondary institution and then take full advantage of the precious time you have to learn.
Summary: more (computer) technology and smaller groups in learning. Less passive lectures. Education doesn’t last enough but meta-skills to keep learning can.