I knew a self-taught programmer who was a little sensitive about his lack of formal training. Sometimes he'd tell the story of when he was 19 and talked to a re

I knew a self-taught programmer who was a little sensitive about his lack of formal training. Sometimes he'd tell the story of when he was 19 and talked to a recruiter at ITT Tech and the school had 'wanted him' so much that they kept calling his house but his parents just couldn't afford it (thank goodness). He was a smart guy from a background where going to college wasn't on the menu. He managed to learn an impressive amount on his own, but I think that was one of the only times he'd felt welcomed or encouraged in his interests.