The bigger factor is that it indicates that someone had the gumption to get there without the benefit of an academic and social system to motivate them. That is

The bigger factor is that it indicates that someone had the gumption to get there without the benefit of an academic and social system to motivate them. That is an impressive and unusual tendency of personality, and one that makes you an asset pretty much no matter where you are or what you’re doing. I want as many people like that in my organization as possible.