The career path for someone with a CS / CIS / MIS degree is more structured. Once you get that degree, in the eyes of most HR departments you're basically qualified for any entry level IT position.

However, for those of us without a 4 year or higher degree, we really have to stay on top of our game and accept the fact that there are organizations that will never hold the front door open for us or offer a salaried position.

But that's OK, we can still enter through the side door and bill by the hour.