Do I really need a degree?

So I've gotten this question a couple of times and would, consequently, like to address it.
"Do you really need a degree to do Bible Translation, Elizabeth?"
The answer: Yes
A degree is just a piece of paper saying that I've taken all the classes and I have sufficient knowledge in the discipline that is required of me.
So the degree isn't the important part. It just says that I have the education. So, what people are really asking is, do I need an higher education. And the answer? Yes
When you're about to undergo brain surgery, do you want someone with a degree? Or someone who "felt like brain surgery was important work and needed to just go out and do it"?
Bible Translation is kinda a big deal. We're dealing with the Word of God here. I'm not translating children's books where, if I mess up, the worst that could happen is red would be labeled orange. There are issues of salvation that I'm playing with here.
Bible Translation is important work and I do need to go out and do it, but I need to do it with excellence. And so I need to be well educated for this job in order to do it to the best of my abilities.
Yes, it's time consuming. Yes, it's expensive. But yes, it's necessary.