[ddoolin]

Agreed, it's kinda hard to qualify, particularly as a side-effect rather than the central focus. Most of this boils down to personality.

I also sometimes wish I had gotten my degree for similar reasons, and still do plan to, though perhaps not in CS. Definitely math, and maybe something else. That isn't to say I wasn't boosted in my own ways, unencumbered by not trying to design things to fit a preconceived model, and learning what was practically useful. "Inventing" those things yourself can give you more insight and appreciation for the way they are or should be built. Unfortunately it seems to come full circle, and eventually you need those models and that less-practical knowledge.