School isn't a panacea either. I think I've done above average in school for the most part, but I never learned enough to have "professionally applicable skills

School isn't a panacea either. I think I've done above average in school for the most part, but I never learned enough to have "professionally applicable skills". And the skills I actually use in my profession I learned outside of school. The thing is, when people are motivated to do something, they'll learn what they need. Otherwise, not even school can force feed students into learning those things.