I also feel frustrated with and betrayed by the academic system, and while my reasons for feeling that way are somewhat different, the big picture is similar. I

I also feel frustrated with and betrayed by the academic system, and while my reasons for feeling that way are somewhat different, the big picture is similar. I've worked hard and learned a lot and by some measures I am intelligent and educated, but I don't have the academic history to back it up. But... none of that matters, because I got a job where my actual skills and knowledge are valued, rather than my credentials. Is that a path you can take? Oh and by the way... I see people picking on your grammar and spelling mistakes, but I really don't think they're any worse than what I see regularly elsewhere. I've read plenty of papers published by engineering and computer science graduate students that have been worse.