[philjr]

Just another data point, but you've already gotten your answer i think.

Some of the best guys I've seen have majors in fields similar to x's - physics, ee, maths. I've hired and worked with people from majors in law, sociology and psychology, to name but a few. Some of the best (and most interesting) guys I've worked with.

The difficulty will be the "first job", but if you're skilled then you'll be fine. Teaching oneself is no meagre feat however!