This all comes down to marketing. If you don't have a degree but can market your skills and have a portfolio to show that you know your stuff then getting a job

This all comes down to marketing. If you don't have a degree but can market your skills and have a portfolio to show that you know your stuff then getting a job is not an issue. If you can't market yourself then going through an established system that more or less holds your hand through the process is probably ideal.