> Get a degree in Comp. Sci/Comp. Eng or at least some STEM degree and then a Masters. I understand the US-centric view of tertiary education being a risk due t

> Get a degree in Comp. Sci/Comp. Eng or at least some STEM degree and then a Masters. I understand the US-centric view of tertiary education being a risk due to large capital investment but in the rest of the world where it's affordable/free, most would hesitate to hire self-taught developers, even in web development positions. I can agree that having a BSc would be an asset. Most employers understand Master's contribute almost nothing unless your particular niche is something in systems (compilers for example). However, systems advisors are few and far between these days. You're much more likely to find one of the millions of AI/ML MSc's. Maybe for a research position or something it doesnt matter as long as you have the paper. Even then, you could make an argument for systems programming that a BSc is STILL sufficient. My systems programming classes at the graduate level were basic bullshit. Nothing I couldn't have gleaned from reading either "Modern Operating Systems", The Dragon Book, Engineering a Compiler, or any number of the MPI books. Lastly, I have the requisite credentials. I work side by side with self taught engineers. Very few companies will not hire a non-degreed person if they can show good work. The idea of "work in open source" is dumb and lame. If that's your cup of tea - great! 99.9% of people don't have enough passion about a single tool, and a single code base, to slog through it to get "noticed". Better to implement your own toy stuff and just talk about it online if you really care. The author's 10x cyber web developer ninja nonsense is a very 2000's way of thinking about "getting noticed". My best advice to people is usually to get a BSc so you have a strong foundation in Math and Computer Science taught in a structured, standard way. I also advise people to not spend more than ~$20,000 or so getting it. At that point you're usually young enough that the opportunity/time cost is extremely low and ~$20,000 can be paid off pretty quickly even if it blows up in your face. ABET accreditation is an amazing thing. Aside from the "prestige" you're learning the same stuff MIT is. Personally, I paid all-in about $27,000. Worth every penny at that cost. Everything else, like all things in life, can be boiled down to "just do it". I also work with a lot of MScs. There's a reason they report up to me and it's not because I have more "pedigree". Study theory all you want. At the end of the day an application/idea/paper/etc implemented is more important than waxing poetic about theory.