I've found myself to be an effective programmer because of the non-degree experiences that allowed me to see the larger strategic and tactical environment in wh

I've found myself to be an effective programmer because of the non-degree experiences that allowed me to see the larger strategic and tactical environment in which programming takes place. However, the foundations that my CS degree gave me allow me to think much more openly about the possibilities of what can be done with computers. I don't need to depend on what a library can do, I can dream big and then find the code that does what I need or build it if I have to. And strategic thinking is an orthogonal skill that will elevate anybody no matter what professional discipline they are in. As a professor of mine once said "if the only things you learn at university are covered in your classes, you've attended a very poor university indeed."