To be fair Economics and other disciplines are ever evolving and those who gained advanced understanding through formal education will likely not be satisfied to the point they will stop learning and keeping up with those changes.

The best metaphor I can improvise right now is that of someone who is coached to become a good surfer by great surfers through daily lessons and someone who watches youtube videos and then hits the waves.

It will depend on things like weather or tide but my money is on someone who practices constantly and dedicated enough time. Yes, academia and youtube can prepare you, but you have to do serious work to gain best understanding and keep updating oneself.