[Amanda Morrison]

While the boundaries of being/not being an engineer are kind of fuzzy, here's a great way to describe, in my opinion.

You have a degree: The university is giving you a piece of paper that says, "We've taught you a formal background in _______, therefore you can say you have the knowledge of many professors, other students, mentors, etc. Go out and use it wisely." Afterward, as is true with all professions, you will learn more real-world applications and the tricks of the trade.

You don't have a degree: You have no person or institution backing what you may or may not have learned. Your projects and examples are not as credible. While you may work with others and gain some experience, or may work in the position of what you'd like to be, you will not have the same benefits that one with a degree might have, especially if you have taught yourself.

I'm sorry. You are not an engineer.