I don't have any degree but I was able to get a job as a full time programmer based on demonstrating some software I wrote to the interviewer. 

I quit the job because I wanted to pursue other opportunties but there are plenty of times you do not have a degree at all to have any job to get a job in many areas of the tech industry.

I think if you go to things like hack-a-thons or different meet-ups or are actively working on projects independently it is pretty easy to score a job.

Having a degree does help ensure better pay and a more secure position though, especially if it is a large corporation or a goverment job, at least that is my understanding.  Plus you get to learn a bunch of cool stuff.