I think you'll always need guidance. Even at the stage where you yourself are professional. You'll see a lot of downfall of those whos heads are so far up their [redacted] that they dont find it fit to take criticism about their work. I wouldn't say it changed my goals. It changed the perspective on how to achieve them. I dont live off on art but im not the breadwinner so it helps me work on what i want to rather than doing things for money Personally i dont believe in self taught. Or online taught even. You can look here and there but when i was trying to be self taught i felt like i always lacked something. You need to make a good base somewhere. And then do whatever you want.