[chrisseaton]

I don't think they would get hired anyway.

As I said, their companies value diverse academic backgrounds. Not no academic background.

Let's look at some real jobs, outside the technology industry.

The UK civil service: "you need, or expect to have, a 2:2 degree in any subject or higher".

UK NHS project management role just requires "a degree" (the NHS is one of the biggest employers in the world).

Goldman Sachs graduate analyst "open to final year undergraduate and graduate level students from any field of study".

That's the reality. They don't care what degree, they just care about a degree. So if you're passionate about art history, get a degree in it. Almost nobody cares.

[charlesdm]

I’m not saying you’re not right, I just think it’s ridiculous. I've met plenty of people with various degrees (BS, MS, Phd) who are stupid as a rock, and I’ve met plenty without a degree who are well rounded individuals / smart as hell / can get the job done. That’s even outside of tech. In the end it really comes down to the individual.

Also, as an ability metric it’s an outdated one, and personally I would never pass on an employee just because (s)he doesn’t have a degree. Having a degree doesn't even mean someone will make a good employee. Results are infinitely more important than credentials. Most people just can't get stuff done.

[cloverich]

> Most people just can't get stuff done.

I know this is tangential, but after working in engineering for the last 6 years its absolutely mind blowing how much this is a factor. Smart, likable, normal people who just never get any real, meaningful work done seems to be the complete norm. Hiring people (not a position i'm presently in) is an absolutely terrifying prospect to me, because I can't figure out any real way to separate the former from the latter.