[Tycho]

When I first started programming I was doing VBA on spreadsheets. I thought entirely in terms of simple commands, variables, events, if statements and the occasional loop. I could vaguely remember what an array was from highschool but never needed one (although, to be fair, I had a spreadsheet to work with).

I did not have a clue about objects, classes, pointers (Pass By Val vs Pass By Ref was like flipping a coin), never mind linked lists. But despite this, I managed to get a lot done. Of course since I've taken the time to educate myself I understand now, but my point is in some settings you can go quite far without ever engaging the fundamentals of computer science.

I know the OP said she does understand all that stuff but it's also possible she barely needs to use it.