Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a College Degree

Back then some years ago, almost every company required candidates to have a college degree (some of these still demand!) for recruitment. The situation was like this – Earn a degree, and get a Job. But, things have somehow changed now. Candidates now have various sources (Certification Programs, Training, Self-Learning, etc.) to get the relevant and required skills for the organization. And keeping this in mind, employers are offering the jobs to the candidates without demanding a traditional college degree. Meanwhile, it can be said that now companies are emphasizing skills over degrees or educational backgrounds for the hiring process.

How Important Is a College Degree?

College Degree is the most important part of our education and is the “golden ticket” for our future as our life depends upon it. The lifestyle we want is totally based on what degree we have attained and how much value it has in the world outside. But as the times are changing there are few companies that do not require any degree to hire a candidate but look out for skills. Although, completing your education is necessary as it really helps you to achieve the best in life. 

Indeed, appropriate skills and knowledge are more important than any college degree for any organization. However, demanding a college degree from employers also makes sense as it is easy to assume that a candidate with a college degree would be proficient with the required skills as per the curriculum. Still, in the present-day’s scenario, a person may end up more qualified and skilled than a person with a degree due to various advancements such as boot camps, corporate training, e-learning, etc. Now, let’s take a look at those top companies that don’t require candidates to have a college degree.

Top Companies Hiring Without a College Degree 

Modern-age technology companies are very popular with their work culture and flexibility and to take a job in companies like these you should have a relevant skill set and expertise in building similar projects. Here are some of the top hire companies that give jobs without degrees to talented candidates and are considered the best companies for freshers to start their careers.

1. Google

Is anyone here, who doesn’t know about Google? Everybody knows (silly question!). Google LLC, founded in September 1998, is an American multinational technology company that deals in Internet and Web-related services and products such as search engines, cloud services, mobile operating systems, and many others. The company offers various jobs in software engineering or product management domain without requiring a college degree (however, relevant skills and practical experience are a must). You can learn and get proficient with programming languages (Java, C/C++, Python, etc.), understand Data Structures Concepts, participate in Coding Challenges, Build Projects, etc. to land a job at Google without having a graduation degree.

2. Apple

Apple is one of the leading giants when it comes to the tech industry. The company, founded in 1976, is a multinational technology company that offers various electronic hardware and software products and digital services. Meanwhile, Apple has various departments like – Machine Learning & AI, Software & Services, Operations & Supply Chain, and various others in which the company works and provides career opportunities. The company offers various jobs such as Full Stack Engineer, Research Scientist Intern, built Software Engineer, and many more for both entry-level and experienced candidates in consideration of their skills and experience and yes, without any college degree.

3. Facebook

Everyone has used Facebook or its subsidiary products like WhatsApp, or Instagram. Facebook is created by Mark Zuckerberg, who himself is a college dropout and the company values the skill over any college degree. Meta Group, which contains companies like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram are the core technology-based companies that are built on a strong technological foundation and offer jobs in Software engineering, Data Science, Research, and Development. They require candidates with strong computer fundamentals and coding skills because people inside Facebook not only implement existing technology but create new technology, languages, frameworks, and libraries for their internal use as well as for the people in the form of open source. Facebook has set a benchmark for hiring candidates with the best talent.

4. Amazon

Amazon has reinvented the wheel of e-commerce in the world with the help of technology. Amazon is a conglomerate in this world of the internet created in 1994. It has used technology at its core to make a world-class business and made its name one of the top-valued companies in this world in just 2-3 decades. But this journey is not simple, they did multiple experiments with technologies to make your shopping experience smoother. You name it and Amazon uses that technology in its business, whether it’s block-chain, artificial intelligence, Supply chain, Full Stack Development. It is one of the top companies that value skills over any college degree and offer a high-package job. But for that, you have to master any specific technology and for that, you can refer to our website.

5. Microsoft

Microsoft founded in 1975, is one of the largest companies in the software industry and contributed a lot to this industry and continuing this process with its investments in the latest technologies. The vision of Microsoft is to help businesses, students, and people to realize their full potential with the help of technology. They have their own operating system, computers, Browsers, search engine, and games, and all of these things are created with a passion in mind to deliver a world-class experience to the user. And all these things are done by their passionate employees and Microsoft continue to look for such amazing talent, whether they have any college degree or not but should have any skill that delivers any value to the company.

6. Netflix

Netflix, Inc. is an American production and subscription streaming company, headquartered in Los Gatos, California. Founded in the year 1997, by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph the company has over 222 million subscribers worldwide. Apart from being one of the biggest entertainment platforms, the company is also one of the most significant places to work. They hire employees regardless of their educational background, People who do not have college degrees can also apply for jobs and will be hired completely on their talent. The company was named one of the happiest places to work in 2018. 

7. Tesla

An American multinational automotive brand, Tesla, Inc. is a company that designs and manufactures electric vehicles. One of the most valuable companies in the world Started in the year 2003, on July 1 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, the company has almost 10,000 people working for them. In order to work in that company people do not need any particular degree and even college students can apply for jobs. The current CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, also announced a few months ago that the company’s manufacturing units are progressing quickly and will hire numerous people who will not require any specific qualification. Some of the job opportunities offered by the company are manufacturing, call team, etc.

8. Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young, founded in 1989, is one of the leading professional services firms that primarily offers tax, consulting, assurance, and advisory services along with other domains such as accounting, operations, HR, technology, financial services consulting, etc. The U.K. division of the company offers various renowned job positions such as Machine Learning Engineer, AA Consultant, Financial Services Manager, and various others for candidates where a degree doesn’t act as a barrier.  As per the company’s statement, academic qualifications will still be taken into consideration for recruitment but it will not be the only parameter to assess candidates to reduce the chances of missing out on talented people who may not have a degree.

9. Hilton

Hilton, founded in 1919, is one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality companies that manages and franchises a vast portfolio of hotels and resorts. The company has an annual revenue of more than USD 8.90 billion along with around 169,000 employees and 5500 properties across the world. Apart from this, the company offers various career opportunities for candidates not having a degree as well. Moreover, the company offers jobs for various profiles such as Chief Engineer, Event Manager, Associate Director of Sales, and many more. Meanwhile, the company has a preferable working culture and environment and there is a lot more to learn to achieve as well as a part of their working team.

10. IBM

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), founded in 1911, is an American multinational technology company that develops computer hardware, middleware, and software offering hosting and consulting services, research areas, etc. The company offers various job opportunities such as Data Scientist, Product Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, Research Scientist, and various others for candidates that too without the compulsion of a graduation degree. As a part of the IBM working team, you would not only connect with an award-winning multinational technology company but also get a chance to work on leading and trending technologies and real-time problems.

11. Nordstrom

Nordstrom Inc, founded in 1901, is one of the leading players in the retail industry that dominates the market with annual revenue of around USD 15 billion, more than 100 stores, and 70,000+ employees. When it comes to recruitment of candidates without requiring a degree, the company offers various career opportunities such as Strategy Program Manager, Database Administrator, Web Engineer, and many more based on the relevant skills, experience, and other criteria. Apart from the appropriate salary as per the industry, the company also offers various other comprehensive benefits to its employees such as medical coverage, merchandise discount, etc.

12. Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House is one of the leading publishing houses in the world. The company has employed around 10,000 people globally and published nearly 15,000 titles annually under its 250 divisions and imprints. Apart from this, the company has a variety of job roles to offer that do not require candidates to have a college degree. The company provides jobs for various such as Web Designers, Social Media Marketing Managers, Editorial Assistants, and many more. The company has one of the best workplaces and it also values the perspectives of the employees for better work and results.

13. Starbucks

Starbucks is an American multinational coffee house chain which is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Started in the year 1971, on March 30th was founded by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Seigl, and Gordan Bowker. However, all these founders were not college dropouts but as per the company, there is no hard and fast rule to be graduated in order to get a job. One can easily apply for a job and might get selected because the company trains the hired employees themselves in order to make them task-effective. There are many people in Starbucks who are hired without any former experience and now they know everything about the coffee house business. Some of the job opportunities offered by the company are Baristas, Store Managers, Brand Managers, Product Managers, Shit Supervisors, etc. 

14. Bank of America

One of the most famous banks, BOA- Bank of America Corporation is a multinational investment bank and financial service company based in North Carolina. It is the second-largest bank in the United States and on the basis of market capitalization, it is again the second-largest bank in the world. It is approximate serves around 10.73% of complete American deposits. The primary functions of the bank revolve around investment banking, commercial banking, and wealth management. BOA has several branches all over the world including Dallas, Hong Kong, New York, and Toronto. Here people are hired on the basis of their experience and talent and not evaluated on the basis of their college degree.

15. Chipotle

A famous American food chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is one of the biggest food chains in the country and is present in many countries such as Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Started by Steve Ells in 1993 in Denver, Colorado near the campus of the University of Denver and since then there is no looking back. The restaurant serves an amazing variety of food including burritos, bowls, quesadillas, tacos, salads, Lifestyle Bowls, etc. The company provides jobs on the basis of cooking talent and does not require any degree.

Conclusion

As of now, you must be aware that there are a lot of companies that do not demand a traditional college degree for recruitment. Meanwhile, you must have a relevant skill set and experience per the company’s requirements to get the green flag. Most of tech companies have followed the culture of hiring candidates without degrees but must have the relevant skills. So what are you waiting for? Do upgrade your skills and get some in-hand experience as companies are waiting to welcome you aboard!!

FAQs

Q1. What careers don’t require degrees?

Answer:

These are the career that does not require college degrees:

• Interior Designer
• Digital Marketer
• Air Hostess
• Graphic Designer
• Commercial Pilots
• Investment Advisor

Q2. Can you be successful without a degree?

Answer:

Yes, one can be successful with a college degree, but it is important that you are equipped with something skillful or have some unique talent that can be used for the betterment of the company or the world outside. 

Q3. Will companies hire you without a degree?

Answer:

There are many companies that hire people without college degrees, such as:

• Google
• Hilton
• Apple
• IBM
• Netflix

Q4. How can I get a job in tech without a degree?

Answer:

Tech people who want to get jobs without a college degree can apply to companies with creative job roles or business operated.