In your own words, would you kindly elaborate on the difference between engineering and technology?

Same boat. I'm still close friends with, and have mad respect for the folks who stuck with proper engineering when I realized that sort of work doesn't really align with the way I naturally think.

They've demonstrated years of diligence in earning that steel ring.

I also have friends who I have mad respect for who are proper engineers and have demonstrated years of diligence in earning that steel ring. But I also have lots of programmer friends who have demonstrated years of diligence without there being any steel ring at the end to save them from programming on a white board every time they apply for a job. I think our way is better for talented but inexperienced young folks just breaking in, but worse for experienced folks whose years of success would have earned them a universally-respected credential in pretty much every other profession.