[simonsarris]

Make things. Seriously.

Every recruiter that has ever contacted me was because of something I made or wrote, and not because of my degree.

Degrees are sometimes good for getting an interview. Showing off things you've made are good for getting a job.

[Brewer]

This is what I've heard. In fact, I actually have another Ask HN thread up write now on this same topic. It should be slightly higher up on the 'new' page if you want to check it out. The title is 'Ask HN: Showing personal projects to potential employers'.