When I was 18 I had already dropped out of college, was homeless and in pretty poor shape. I had to live "fake it till you make it". None of my clients needed

When I was 18 I had already dropped out of college, was homeless and in pretty poor shape. I had to live "fake it till you make it". None of my clients needed to know I was programming their web applications from a library computer at a college campus that I only was able to use by logging in with random strangers student ID numbers. I worked my ass off to build software enginnering experience taking on challenges for little to no pay. That alone didnt keep me fed all the time while I was learning to market myself (and gaining more skills to market). I did everything from working many day-labor jobs (manpower, laborready, etc), factory work, tractor sales, retail, telemarketing, street preforming, teaching old people to use the internet, etc. It was a long road but over time I began to get the occasional programming gig for clients in way over their heads with money to burn. Allowed me to build confidence, income, and vital experience. I made sure I earned my keep and got referrals. So far I have started 5 companies, worked for/with countless others, tackled hundreds of fun projects, learned a lot of tough/valuable lessons, and built a network of incredible people. I am now working as a software engineer at an amazing startup and I love my job. TLDR If someone like me can make it, anyone can. Just gotta work for it and learn how to leverage the resources around you. Also... ignore the people saying you can't make it without a degree. Many of my friends employed at major tech firms don't have anything but hard earned experience. No one worth working for has degrees as a manditory prereq. Obtaining a degree or two may well be the easier/sane path for most, but certainly not the only one. My path was at least debt free and came with experience I would not trade for anything. Feel free email me (google for it) or hit me up via http://hashbang.sh http://hashbang.sh . Lot of very successful mentors there that love helping people like you.