So, to answer the original question: I'm a self-taught hire, and currently performing very well (I'm told) at our company. After a bit of a learning curve, it's

So, to answer the original question: I'm a self-taught hire, and currently performing very well (I'm told) at our company. After a bit of a learning curve, it's working out splendidly for everyone involved, on both the finance and happiness scales. To answer your follow-up: I got lucky. They took a chance on me, being pretty decent with front-end dev and a quick study. I think the company culture here may have had something to do with it as well. Being a consultancy, our primary concern (wrt developer talent) is the ability to write maintainable software on a deadline. As long as you can do that and get along with coworkers/clients, little else matters. It's as close to a true meritocracy as I've ever found, and that's the kind of environment where autodidacts like us tend to thrive. Make sure you have the chops or are an extraordinarily quick learner, have decent social/teamwork skills, and find somewhere that prioritizes your ability to perform in a work environment over what may or may not be printed on a piece of paper, and you'll do fine.