Interested in pursuing bioinformatics without a degree...
I'm currently working toward an advanced diploma in Biotechnology. While this program is geared primarily toward me working in more of a wet setting, my interests are pushing me toward bioinformatics. Unfortunately completion of my program would still require me take another two years of university just to get a bachelors degree.
While I am not projected to even graduate for a couple more years, I've been wanting to start taking my career and education into my own hands. I've done some programming in the past as hobby work and taking an introductory course in university but I want to develop some more specific skills.
The resource list for learning bioinformatics on the sidebar is very helpful! The Rosalind exercises in particular are targets I've set for myself to complete. I am considering taking the Coursera course for Systems Biology. How much value would a certification such as this offer me? I'm worried about how much not having a degree of any sort is going to inhibit my pursuits and so I'm trying to mitigate that with as much external education as possible.
Are there any open source projects that I should keep an eye on? I'd really like to contribute to something with some low hanging fruit waiting to be worked on. Any advice on how to best get involved with open source projects would be hugely appreciated too.
TLDR; What can a college student do to best break into the field of bioinformatics?