Stop in for a cup of coffee

I have been blessed, in my profession the guys who are engineers coming from the practical side (licensed vs degree) tend to be more sought after as they have the hands on practical knowledge to get you out of a bind. Every time there is a push to change that there is usually a casualty and loss of life or damage to the vessels that ends the push. Something to be said about hands on.
I completely agree with you. You see, I am a guy with only a high school diploma that has risen to the top of my profession through hard work, knowledge and skill. I started this path at the lowest level of lab assistant...but am now a Senior Vice President of a World class Pharmaceutical Company with dozens of patents on drug delivery innovation and 10 FDA approved drug products. I have spent my career creating the cutting edge of innovation for new drugs.

I had no paper key to get through the door...I shoved my way in.

These days, they are desperately trying to keep me from going back through the door and pursuing my other dreams.