I am not sure how universal those three autodidact myths are, I certainly have never heard them. But I suppose that is because the two places I have worked since switching careers have obviously been welcoming to autodidacts like myself.

Occasionally I ponder what my life would have been like if I had been a CS major in college. I probably would be making a lot more money right now, although that might have less to do with the degree and more to do with the 7 years of experience I would have had under my belt at this point. I realize, though, that I was not yet ready for programming back then. I think that I would have been bored with much of the less practical material that seems to be a college standard regardless of what you major in.

Since I started teaching myself to program, the most important thing I have learned is how I learn best: by reading constantly, getting my hands dirty, and focuing on topics that interest me.

The 5 years I spent as a child and family therapist taught me a ton about people (including myself) and this is something that will help me in any setting.

--Dave