@Eric Taylor I work as a Civil Field Engineer, and I don't have a degree. I went to college, but I wasn't a good student and never graduated. The education system doesn't teach the way that I learn...which is an argument my wife and I have from time to time (she's a teacher). That doesn't mean I lollygagged or expect something miraculous to happen...that's just silly.
What I have realized is degree or not, nothing comes automatically. In hindsight, I should have gone to a trade school, or into a Union apprenticeship (I'm not pro-union, but it would have been a good move at the time) instead of wasting time at college. University doesn't work for me, but it did for my wife.
I worked my *** off to get into my current job, and now I'm working my *** off to add wealth through REI. Engineering is one of those fields where most are college educated, and I meet a lot of guys like you that think being college educated makes them better.
It doesn't. Usually I just laugh to myself as I get the next promotion....