I think I am technically self-taught, originally. I only learned about the theory after I had already applied the principles in practice.
Started in the 80's with a C64, then progressed through computers and time until began my studies in the university ... for chemistry. Turns out my head doesn't work that way. Began working or a logistics software company on the side.
In 2001, I wrote at work a literal bin-packing algorithm without any formal background or real CS education. I only later learned that it's generally considered a pretty hard problem.
Some time after that, applied to officially change my major subject to CS. The department head was quoted from the meeting, "about time". One of the first mandatory courses I had to take after that one was on data structures and algorithms, which to me was a properly fun one. It was also enlightening: I realised that at work I had independently come up with Djikstra's greedy algorithm for the bin-packing problem.
Ever since then I've followed a simple rule of thumb in hiring - aptitude beats raw talent. Anyone who wants to learn because they are genuinely interested in the field and its problems is in high probability going to be a better hire than someone with talent and education but without the internal drive.
Am I biased? Yes. But am I unfairly so? I don't believe that. And I agree with other posters that self-taught are likely to get more out of theoretical education because they can map the lessons into things they have already done, or things they have done in the wrong way.
Started in the 80's with a C64, then progressed through computers and time until began my studies in the university ... for chemistry. Turns out my head doesn't work that way. Began working or a logistics software company on the side.
In 2001, I wrote at work a literal bin-packing algorithm without any formal background or real CS education. I only later learned that it's generally considered a pretty hard problem.
Some time after that, applied to officially change my major subject to CS. The department head was quoted from the meeting, "about time". One of the first mandatory courses I had to take after that one was on data structures and algorithms, which to me was a properly fun one. It was also enlightening: I realised that at work I had independently come up with Djikstra's greedy algorithm for the bin-packing problem.
Ever since then I've followed a simple rule of thumb in hiring - aptitude beats raw talent. Anyone who wants to learn because they are genuinely interested in the field and its problems is in high probability going to be a better hire than someone with talent and education but without the internal drive.
Am I biased? Yes. But am I unfairly so? I don't believe that. And I agree with other posters that self-taught are likely to get more out of theoretical education because they can map the lessons into things they have already done, or things they have done in the wrong way.