Working without a college degree to back you up in the modern corporate world is like trying to swim with rocks in your pockets.  Its hard, and you grow stronger for doing it, but eventually others will pass you, using less energy, and in frustration you let yourself get drug down, cursing the choices you made, or the options you were denied.

Wow, what a depressing first paragraph.

Anyway, heads up, fight the fight, do the work.  Maybe a piece of paper is in the future.