Hannah Maruyama’s journey to a six-figure career without a bachelor’s degree began when she took her first college class as a high school junior and quickly realized she didn’t want to continue. After working various low-wage jobs, she found herself making over $100,000 a year in AI and coaching young adults on how to design their own degree-free careers. She moved from Savannah to Honolulu with her husband to pursue their dream jobs, which included becoming a cosmetic tattoo artist and a firefighter. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced them to shut down their studio and led Maruyama to pursue a career in tech.
Maruyama reflected on her lack of familiarity with tech acronyms such as Comp TIA, AWS, and CISSP but spent hours educating herself on various tech certifications to increase her chances of finding a job in the industry. She completed a Salesforce certification course in April 2020, which led to her landing a remote Salesforce developer position that paid $70,000. Despite not meeting the educational requirements for most job applications, Maruyama emphasized her willingness to learn quickly during interviews, which paid off. She began sharing her experience on TikTok and received significant attention from young people seeking advice on forging career paths without a college degree.
In October 2021, the Maruyamas closed their studio and launched Degree Free, an online platform offering career coaching and free educational resources for those interested in degree-free careers. Maruyama also joined a startup as their head of operations, earning a $100,000 salary. She emphasized the importance of consistent upskilling in advancing her tech career and now holds certifications in data analytics and project management. The Maruyamas relocated to Houston in 2022, where Degree Free generated $128,000 in profit in 2023 from coaching services and partnerships.
Maruyama acknowledged that she was often told that college was essential for success, but she found a fulfilling career path without a degree. She encouraged others to explore the myriad degree-free options available and expressed gratitude for finding a path that made her happy. Her journey serves as inspiration for those looking to carve out successful careers without the traditional educational route. By sharing her experiences and offering guidance through Degree Free, Maruyama aims to help others navigate the world of work without a degree and achieve their professional goals. Her story exemplifies the possibilities that exist outside the confines of a college degree and showcases the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and seizing opportunities in pursuing a successful career.
