[schnitzelstoat]

Almost all professional jobs require a college degree to even be considered though.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but the general rule is clear.

[lotsofpulp]

Electricians/plumbers/welders/landscapers/cleaners etc are also professionals.

Unless we are using professional to mean some kind of socioeconomic class signifier.

[justaj]

Isn't it a bit different in the field of software? Weren't most of the top senior devs actually self-taught?