Self-taught programmer checking in, 40+ years and still going strong. I have worked all over the globe, and there are still millions of people using software I

Self-taught programmer checking in, 40+ years and still going strong. I have worked all over the globe, and there are still millions of people using software I've developed over the decades - creative stuff, life-protecting stuff, educational and infrastructure stuff, apps, games, music tools, and more. When I got into computers, my local schools were years behind and playing catchup with the industry, which was simply moving far too fast for academic life. I had a choice of learning stuff that was already archaic in school, or getting out into the industry and developing new technology that would eventually make its way back to the hallowed halls of academia. So, I accepted an apprenticeship-style position as a lowly junior, and I worked my ass off to become as competent as the rest. A key factor in my success, 40+ years going strong and still loving the industry, has been to always keep an eye on the horizon - new technology approaches at near light speed (metaphorically), and all it takes is for someone to say "okay, I'll try to be productive with that", actually use it productively, and it becomes a new standard. The one thing that has always dug me out of the pickle has been to keep my focus on the user. Computerization is nothing without the user. If you can think like a user and create technology that a user would adopt, you can be a great developer. The other key thing is, don't get distracted by your peers. Even if they have a PhD in computer science, a little elbow grease and dedication to the task can prove ones mettle above and beyond the paper-indoctrinated. The compiler doesn't care about your qualifications, and neither does the user - learn to develop with a proper quality-centric workflow, and no PhD will be able to keep up with you.