My current employer hired me 25 months ago as a "Linux Systems Engineer"... I think what they really meant was "Admin." I have nearly 4 semesters worth of college credit, from back in 2001, but no degree. I have since advanced to the position of "Lead Software Developer"... which is actually an accurate title this time.

I can't say it's a "great" job; the pay is below par, but it is also a very small company in a small town. I have been offered other Linux "Admin" positions, which would have paid 50% more in the area, but turned them down, because of the enjoyment I get out of this position, that I felt would not be as likely at the other companies that have offered me positions.

When other folks my age would have been getting a CS degree, I was busy going into debt running a dial-up ISP (before dialup was completely dead)... So I have "real-world" experience where most people in my industry have a degree.

I have since hired two other friends, who now work under me. Neither of them have degrees, either...

I started using ytalk (a talk client with some extra features) since about 1998 to do similar things.