I find myself in an interesting place. I went through what many consider an elite education - i've seen it from the inside. It wasn't through money, but out of sheer interest - as you know, an individual can work for hours with focus on something that is of deep interest - he doesn't count those hours as "work".
So, you didn't study for a degree in Engineering? Not so important, altho may kinda back up what I'm about to say.
But I can see how thoroughly indoctrinated places of "learning" now are - far worse and far more in-yer-face than even 20 years ago (when it was still more subtle). Hence, I try to think through with my kid, kinda imagination exercises, of the kinds of things she can do without going through the indoctrination-schools. Coz she is very bright and sharp, so is a real shame we have ended up in this world of shit - but there remain many paths open to her. We just need to get away from the tyranny that skills only come via certificates.
Also, that life doesn't revolve around bits of paper in a frame nailed to a wall behind a desk!
I had zero training as an engineer, I just did engineering, I still get asked to do it now, not willing though. I also only had hands on experience as a mechanic and made it all the way to Grand Prix level, as a young dude, there is no limit to what anyone can achieve, if they put their mind to it, you and I both prove that.
The only limit is in ones mind, or I would still be living in Birmingham, and you your home town, but we are not.
Right, sounds like we both followed our interests, albeit different. I've said before, I studied the engineering of nuclear power plants - NOT something one can play with at home, but that was my interest at the time. And that's how I bumped up against knowledge I didn't have and needed to progress eg quantum mechanics.
When I got my first car, I investigated how the thing worked and could fix many things up to the limits of not having a proper garage and equipment. I could even tune an engine! lol.
In medieval and renaissance Italy, most people never went to university, but there were 100s of trade schools - everything from navigation to choral singing! lol. That's the background of people like da Vinci and Michelangelo - learning how to do stuff.
As a child I would take every toy apart if it was possible, and put it back together to see how it was made, I started restoring motorbikes aged 8, my step father used to supply me the paint, he worked in a paint factory as a director of sales.
I did have 4 years at school doing motor vehicle mechanics, Mr Hargreaves the teacher gave me the school Lambretta for a token £1 as he said it was me that fixed it.
Engines, cars, things that can come apart, I always took them apart, made them better, if I could, it is that mindset that took me far in life, still got it for now. One day maybe not, but for now it is still there, hence me restoring motorbikes still, just for fun. And the HHO is a thing I am liking doing, I see it as the future, not climate change lunatics and batteries.