You need to move to the UK or europe buddy. I worked for 2&1/2 years in college in the US before getting pneumonia and missing a semester so INS threw me out when I asked nicely for an extension. No degree, no certs.
I got a few contracting jobs then moved to London and landed an ok permanent postion with a company with a better image than it's IT dept would suggest. After a year with these guys I should have my CNA and some odd MCP's and maybe the odd comms cert.
Then I'll look at getting about £40-60 an hour contracting. Here, experience counts more than paper and with being in a reputable co for quite a while looks good too.------------------
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, but most times I justs sits." - Me.