Started working around 15 selling stuff in malls (RC), then spammed some it company with my resume and got 1st line supporter (bit like a hotline callcenter, but also some *nix / shell scripting, sql stuff etc), got up to support manager (dropped university at this point, and I really should've stayed), then jumped companies a few times, ended up with a vendor company, started managing a project, moved to US and within US later. Now Program manager / Product owner and over 100k/y.

Morale: I got lucky. And not only once, looking back. Degree helps as long as it's in the field you're planning to work on. I think the biggest thing I didn't realize back then is how much network you can build just by being in university (and creating a good image of yourself, i.e. being nice, productive and hard-working) and later working with the same mates you had.

Also IT seem to be the easiest well-paid field to attack when you have no degree, but you really have to start early and strive for development/architectural work in the future. You really have to keep up, always study (surprising, huh?) and don't let yourself slack.

And to be honest, I want a degree. I just don't really have any means to get it now yet. Shit's expensive.