College Not Requried

This blog inspired by a recent article I read on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/news/no-need-for-a-degree-to-succeed-4392019/ It's becoming increasingly common -- even among large tech companies -- that a 4-year degree is no longer required. This mostly stems from a deficit in candidates applying for jobs at companies that really need skilled talent to work for them. This will become an even bigger problem as "baby boomers" start to age out of the workforce. As a hiring manager, a 4-year degree largely meant: (1) your younger self was committed to learning new things. I expect that you are going to still be interested in doing that once you join my team. I need "constant learners" because the world is constantly changing. New tools, new methods, new approaches to getting work done. Be willing and eager to learn, always. (2) your younger self was flexible, and had the patience to put up with a lot of bullshit that the college programs threw at you: juggling heavy course loads, the craziness and stress of both midterms and finals, dealing with crazy / oddball peers, TAs and professors. You put up with a lot. I hope you'll find it easier, by comparison, here at the office, but I expect your habits of flexibility and patience will continue -- you'll need them here! (3) you have a portfolio of accomplishments: hopefully, if you haven't kept them in an actual portfolio, you're able to articulate them to me in an interview. If I hear about the great things you've accomplished, I can relate them to the projects I know you're going to encounter here in the business world. And here's the secret: you DON'T need a college degree for any of those. I love hiring veterans, because their four (or more!) years gave them all of these experiences and more. You know who else impresses the hell out of me? Stay-At-Home-Moms (or Dads!) returning to the work force. Talk about people having their shit together, adept at learning new things, practicing extreme patience -- and willing / able to sacrifice their careers just to nurture and develop their young child! Have neither a college degree, military service, SAHM/D status to fall back on? That's ok -- but be ready to show me how you spent your recent years: (a) learning new things, (b) being flexible and patient, (c) and most importantly, show me a portfolio of your accomplishments. What personal projects have you been working on in your basement, garage, backyard or down at the local makerspace? What free, online learning programs have you completed? How have you been working to make the world a better place through your volunteer efforts? What small business did you try to jumpstart as an entrepreneur? Tell me about the obstacles you have overcome. The bottom line is you still have to put in the effort, even if it's not a college degree, military discharge and service records, a healthy, well-adjusted kid, or small-business that you're showing off at the end. You don't need work experience, but you need EXPERIENCE. Here's what won't cut it: staying in your "comfort zone". Working 30-40 hours a week at that same front-end job you got right out of high school, all while living in your parents basement and spending the bulk of your free time playing video games. If you're in that rut right now, find a way to break free. Start working on an ambitious project, volunteer at a local non-profit, set goals and work toward them, find a mentor, keep a journal and build your portfolio. Demonstrate you are trainable and worth investing in. That's the right stuff and I'd hire you.