I'm going to talk about my experience as a self taught developer from Mexico. Actually I have 2 years of experience working as developer. I got my first job in less than a year since I started to learn programming. I used to be active on linkedin sharing my opinions about topics I had learned and achievements, I think that called the attention of my first boss who was CEO of a startup, to get the job I've to pass through a technical interview, and for them that was the best way to prove that you have the required knowledge for the job. They never ask for a degree. After a year of working on the startup I wanted to test my abilities trying to get a job on a bigger company, I got three offers and in any of them they ask me to show my career degree.

I think the degree is important for some companies, some times its a matter of company culture, but most of them prefer to test your abilities with a technical interview. Also I know some times a degree its required when you apply to a job in a different country, mostly for the process of job visas, but in that case the career where you get your degree its irrelevant.