Well if your self taught. you might actually be worth a damn because you probobly have had to work through the problems you might have had to create.
All Architects and engineers should be required to work maintenance for a minimum of 5 years before they are allowed anywhere near a design board. Then they should start out with something simple..like a nail. or a nut and bolt
not to threadjack but yes I do enjoy going out and getting my hands dirty and seeing the difference between 'calculations' and reality. Problem is our welders really don't know how to deal with a 'suit' in their midst