[burntrelish1273]

TL;DR: helps, not usually a deal-breaker.

Self-taught programmer here for a long time (later got a CS & Engineering degree at a UC).

I worked at Trimble, Stanford (with IITians) and many other Fortune 500 shops as a consultant without a degree. No problem.

The only thing a degree really solves it tells HR "candidate completed some hazing ritual, with a smattering of learning how to learn."

Some people look at degree as a pedigree, but it's mostly BS (and expensive).

The goal of certifications and degrees should be based on whether it's required by a specific industry (ie professional engineer) or job role (ie doctor).