Google Hires Employees Without College Degrees: Sergey Brin Explains the Reason

San Francisco: Over the past five years, the number of employees at Google hired without a college degree has increased by 16%. The company’s co-founder Sergey Brin recently revealed in an interview that Google has reduced the degree requirement for several roles, allowing talented individuals without a bachelor’s degree to join the company.

According to data from the Burning Glass Institute, between 2017 and 2022, the percentage of job postings at Google requiring a college degree dropped from 93% to 77%. This indicates a significant shift toward skill-based hiring rather than strict academic qualifications.

Why Google is Hiring Without Degrees

Speaking to engineering students at Stanford, Brin explained that Google has never relied solely on academic backgrounds when hiring. He said, “We have hired many academic stars, but we’ve also brought on board people without bachelor’s degrees. They simply teach themselves in a corner and excel.”

This shift is largely driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is transforming the nature of entry-level jobs. As AI automates routine tasks, employers are increasingly prioritizing practical skills over formal degrees. The trend is employer-led rather than a reflection on universities, emphasizing talent and capabilities above credentials.

Sergey Brin on His Academic Choice

Brin also spoke about his own academic journey, stating that he chose Computer Science out of interest, not strategy. “It was my passion, and it was an easy decision for me. I also consider myself lucky to be in such a transformative field,” he remarked.

Advice to Students

Brin advised students not to make educational decisions solely based on fears about automation. He noted that while AI may impact some disciplines, it enhances others. “I wouldn’t switch from Computer Science to Comparative Literature just because AI is good at coding. Honestly, AI might even be better at Comparative Literature,” he added.

Beyond Google: Industry-Wide Shift

This approach is not limited to Google. Companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Cisco are also prioritizing skills over formal degrees, signaling a move from credential-based screening to skills-based hiring.

Elon Musk on Education and AI

Even SpaceX founder Elon Musk has questioned the necessity of traditional schooling in the age of AI. He noted in a podcast that with AI transforming medical fields, attending medical school may become redundant, as AI-driven robots could provide superior medical care compared to human doctors.

This trend marks a significant shift in the global job market, emphasizing the growing importance of skills, adaptability, and self-learning over formal educational qualifications.