Hard is quite different to impossible, which is what achompas implied. The beauty of computing is that you are only limited by your imagination. Anyone can accomplish anything they want. You do not need a CS degree to get there – though for some, it might help.
My point is that you simply cannot generalize. You have absolutely no idea what talents someone has just by looking at their history. It is simply irrelevant information if you want to hire the best of the best.
Hard is quite different to impossible, which is what achompas implied. The beauty of computing is that you are only limited by your imagination. Anyone can accomplish anything they want. You do not need a CS degree to get there – though for some, it might help.
Look, I appreciate your attitude. You have a positive outlook on what you can accomplish, and that's undoubtedly a good thing.
But, to be frank, the skills required to access my example problems above are not trivial. Let's consider the autodidactic route for computer vision:
1. You need to be cozy with linear algebra, convex optimization, calculus, and algorithmic complexity if you even want to understand prior research. This, alone, is 1-2 semesters of course load for a full-time student.
2. Then, you need to survey prior research to gain awareness about what already exists. You'll hit Google Scholar, search for papers, and have to circumvent article paywalls.
3. After that, you'll need to code your own framework (non-trivial) or convince other researchers to share their source code (very non-trivial--almost impossible, given that they might monetize or license their work, or their university owns said license).
4. Then you need to collect data to test your CV algorithm, iterate on it, etc.
Universities overcome all of these barriers. Hence, it is unrealistic to suggest one can produce cutting-edge CV work by themselves (or without university help).
1. Anyone can take two semesters worth of time to study the material. This is not exclusive to students.
2. You have to spend the time doing the research no matter who you are. Alternatively, you can ask someone else. Either way, anyone can do it.
3. This is a fair point, but you are allowed to spend money. If it costs money to access that code, so be it. Students are paying for that access too.
4. Again, true of anyone.
But more to the point, who cares how someone achieved their accomplishments? If it was through college, great, if it wasn't, still great. Why are you immediately discounting the person who did something amazing, just because he did it by himself?
Edit: I confused you with another poster. You may not have been judging people on their past. I do agree that people are more likely to do that work in a school setting, but that remains irrelevant when it comes to hiring.
My point is that you simply cannot generalize. You have absolutely no idea what talents someone has just by looking at their history. It is simply irrelevant information if you want to hire the best of the best.