I totally agree with this and for a entry-level job, with no experience, I would be totally cool with ignoring the degree is the person was right. For a manager

I totally agree with this and for a entry-level job, with no experience, I would be totally cool with ignoring the degree is the person was right. For a manager or higher level engineer, I believe some amount of prior experience is necessary, the degree is not a requirement but it may influence how much experience I am willing to accept as requisite for the position.