I too only have a GED and did not go to college at all. I was hired as a engineering tech at a large Sunnyvale microwave (and RF and digital) communications equipment manufacturer in the early 80's. I was promoted to junior design engineer and then senior design engineer after about 2 or 3 years. Can't really remember when anymore... I had a hard time getting through the door on the initial hiring as an engineering tech due to the HR department. But once I was finally hired I had no problems moving forward. After about 5 years of that I did consulting for several years and then started my own satellite communications company designing and selling satellite modems (and other related equipment) all over the world. I also hold patents on communications tech.
@DB I once made a whiskey still and and a bong.
May not SEEM all that impressive,but I was VERY happy with the performance of both.
Not to mention several Harley choppers.
Or at least I think I was. Which when you think about it,is the same thing.