From Google to Ibm, degree no longer essential for top positions

Several large companies such as Google, Delta and Ibm have decided to eliminate the degree as a requirement to access various positions.

The state of Maryland also reduced the college degree requirement for many state jobs this year, leading to a hiring surge, and new Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro campaigned on a similar move.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, now the main criteria for hiring become experience and skills.

The narrow labor market has prompted the cancellation of one of the hitherto main conditions for accessing the most remunerative roles: in fact, job offers far exceed the number of unemployed looking for a job - 10.7 million job offers jobs in September compared to 5.8 million unemployed - creating unusual competition.

According to an analysis by think tank Burning Glass Institute, U.S. job postings requiring at least a college degree were 41% in November, down from 46% in early 2019 (before the Covid pandemic).

Some professions have universal education (and degree) requirements, such as doctors and engineers, while others do not, such as retail workers.

Then there is something in between, including technology positions, which have varying requirements depending on the sector, the company, the strength of the job market and the economy.