I've got a degree. It didn't teach me a damned thing about IT, but I've got the degree. The degree helps get your resume through the HR drones, though, but not much else.
It turns out that you can be great. You can be great at anything you want. You don't have to be born with talent. This totally inspired me to try new things. I only wish I'd read it as a teenager!
> retired it due to not having any PS2 machines any more.
That isn't a reason to part with a Model M. Get a USB converter (you may have to try a couple) and keep on trucking. I have an original Logitech three button mouse on the same adapter with my Model M. I use the middle click a heck of a lot more than the wheel so prefer an actual button that won't end up sending scroll up/down every time I middle click on a link to throw it into a tab for later reading. Have to clean the mouse out every month or so but other than it is still good to go.
It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.