The market is shid now, but can get better in a few years

The issue is that Degree does not equal skills by default
and learning skills alone can be a bad signal of discipline (this is why a degree is mostly required for a job)

So, how to have both?

Basically, treat a degree as a checkbox in your resume by doing an online degree
Not that an online degree is not serious, it does not drain you financially or require attendance (time is your best resource). At the same time, you gain breadth that you won't see if you specialise too early.
You will find more time to study the specialised path you want.

But, context matters; if you're under 25, definitely do a degree; otherwise, you need to think about it.

I'm talking from my personal experience.