Well I didn’t take a day of college and I’m far more successful than the vast majority of people who do what I do - electrical engineering. I employ other electrical engineers with degrees - but I don’t require they have one. I only care about how well they do what they do.
That is great. I am very happy that you are a success. It’s just that some people need that piece of paper to make a decent living. I believe that your drive and determination and initiative helped you. Being a FRiend on this site makes this statement most likely true. FREEPERS obviously care about family, work and country as well as God.
Nobody, without a college degree, can be considered a true engineer. That is simply a bastardization of the English language. There is a mental discipline in undergraduate engineering that can’t be replaced. If you want ANY respect in the engineering field a degree is mandatory. I have never heard of a manager in my field without at least a 4 yr, engineering degree. If it ever got out that somebody faked that, the shit would hit the fan.
I also do electrical engineering for my own business and like you, I do not possess an EE. I’ve also been employed as an engineer by engineering firms. I have a well documented work history which helps me overcome any doubts about the lack of degree. I would suspect our situation is fairly rare.