It all depends on the final goal.If your looking to work in some form of computer art,say for an advertising agency or a web site design company then the qualification can often be nessissary just to get the interview.Once your in the door though I think it is the portfolio that gets the actual job.If your doing illustration in any form then nothing matters exept the quality of your work & the time it takes you to produce it. I,m afraid though that like a lot of things in life sometimes its just being in the right place at the right time,Often just attending a course can put you in touch with the right people.I took a year lomg course in Computer art & design,covering Photoshop,Quark Xpress,Freehand & some 3d.I met a guy on the course who ran a video company and ended up working for him where I use Premier & After Effects both of which I,m self taught in,so go figure!