'..but don't actually help you do it day-to-day'

Most of the time, but by understanding those core concepts, you're mind looks at programming and solving problems in a different way. Similar to math, you may never use a differential equation, but by understanding it, you look at the physical world and interpret it in a different way.

Not my intent to look down on anyone. My point is simply that software engineering is huge, you don't learn it in 2 months. Done traditionally or independently, my hats off to you. It's no easy task.