[ChrisMarshallNY]

> The opportunity cost of going without industry experience for multiple years will hinder your advancement for decades.

I suspect that goes for most creative/engineering vocations.

However, one aspect of formal education, that is often missed, in OJT, is a very broad base, and an early understanding of “the basics.”

Also, people with formal education, are often able to work in a very formal, structured manner, early in their career. This (IMO), is pretty important, in engineering and research.

That said, I’m a high school dropout, with a GED. I ended up doing OK, but YMMV.