I started as a self-taught coder using GW-Basic hehe (remember that ;P)

But I wanted to learn how to create graphics and what not. So I went to a tech school to learn it. Partially because my family wanted the good old paper degree. But then when I started at the tech school, I found that the teachers were downloading tutorials on the net first off... second you would ask them questions a bit more advanced than what there teaching they wouldn't know. Now that can sound harsh but I was very optimistic in what this "tech" school advertised, you know top of the line teachers from the industry, blah blah... to find out that 1 out of the 30 teachers was from the industry... that teacher was a painter/artist... not in anyway technical. The others, I remember one teacher I saw him delivering newspapers one morning. The thing is I found out that some of these schools don't want to pay their teachers, so you'll have teachers that don't really have a great resume. It was disappointing, and dropping $30 grand for this school sucked as well. What I did take advantage is the technology, equipment and up-to-date software they had at the students disposal and pretty much self taught myself Flash, Director, 3D Max, etc... I ended up stopping at my associates instead of the B.A. and went on with my career. And yes with a strong portfolio will get you jobs in this industry, they won't hire the guy that made stick figures instead. Like someone mentioned hear its all motivation, if you like it you will learn it no matter what. I'm not putting down going to school, but if you do, research the school, the teachers, etc... Heck, I found out later there were other schools with people from the industry teaching at certain schools part-time around my area.