Take Offline

It could easily be someone who's grown up in the Hacker mind set exploring and learning about technology who's not accepted an entry level job. Maybe the mighty CIO or infosec manager has a degree in comp sci but has no interest in tech outside of work.

Choosing between a Uni grad with papers and little interest outside of work versus no papers and a nearly obsessive interest in learning about tech; I'm hiring the second more likely than the first provided he demonstrates the skills obtained outside of school.