Unfortunately right now you need the "certificate" if your looking for someone to hire you unless you have an in. That's what a lot of networking is. I've seen people hired even when they aren't "qualified" like others have to be. So in short to educate yourself no. You can take your interests as far as you want to. To be hired without the "in" yes. But that's how the world is going to work you have to find that niche and sell you no matter where In the world. If your going to the advanced places lately. Sort of Sad to say 3rd world countries are where most people are going to succeed. There is only one place to go there...up.