• Google: Has removed degree requirements for some software engineering and product management roles, emphasizing skills and practical experience. Google also offers certificate programs as alternatives to degrees.
• Apple: Approximately half of its U.S. workforce in 2018 lacked four-year degrees. CEO Tim Cook has highlighted a mismatch between college skills and workplace needs, particularly in coding.
• IBM: Over half of its U.S. job openings no longer require a degree, focusing on “new collar” roles like software developers and application developers, valuing skills from bootcamps or certifications.
• Microsoft: Values skills over degrees for various roles, including software engineering, focusing on candidates with strong technical fundamentals.
• Meta (Facebook): Prioritizes skills in software engineering and data science, with no degree required for candidates demonstrating strong coding abilities.
• Tesla: CEO Elon Musk has stated that a college degree is not required, emphasizing skills and practical experience for software engineering roles.
• Netflix: Some positions, including senior software engineer roles, do not require a degree, focusing on demonstrated expertise.
• Dell Technologies: Has expanded hiring to include candidates from community colleges and those with skills-based credentials for tech roles.
• Accenture: Since 2016, 80% of its apprenticeship hires for roles like application development and platform engineering lack four-year degrees.
• Dropbox: Offers roles like mobile software engineer without degree requirements, valuing equivalent technical experience.
• Okta: Eliminated degree requirements for some sales and tech roles, focusing on motivation, skills, and experience.
