The actual education can be useful. I dont think my masters degree has ever landed me job. But I would not have been able to deliver many of the things that got me a leadership position, nor be as capable as an engineer as I am today without the experience. The milage obviously varies greatly here based on where one goes.

It depends, as always. My Masters degree at a Polish (good) university was... Let's say I didn't learn anything during these three semesters and the only upside is that I have paper now.

> But if you’re already senior at FAANG I’m not sure you need further legitimacy

For rat raceing the pyramid it is still a differentiator at executive level.

Nobody wants to be held accountable, if projects go south, for having promoted to a leadership position a self taught engineer.

It's really about politics and accountability more than anything.

I absolutely agree with this, and it is my main motivation TBH. I know I’m capable of learning almost anything in my field by hands on experience, but having the advanced degree from a strong institution will help on the rat race. At the end of the day I’m competing with equally capable peers that have a degree from a good school.