To counter this, I'm the only one out of dozens of colleagues who does not have an STEM background (I didn't do very well at school either).

During interviews my lack of degree is often brought up - usually asking if I accidentally forgot to add it to my CV.

At first it was tough but now I'm two decades deep into a career in Ops.

Where are you based? In my 32-year career, it has only ever come up twice, and the second time surprised everyone involved; I wonder what accounts for the difference.

I always appreciate when potential clients DQ themselves that way. Focus on the essential is a hard requirement, I'm afraid.