Hannah Maruyama’s journey to a six-figure career without a bachelor’s degree started when she took her first college class at the age of 16 and quickly realized it wasn’t for her. She left Georgia Southern University after a couple of semesters and worked various low-wage jobs throughout her 20s. Despite feeling limited in her career options, Maruyama never gave up on the idea of finding success without a degree.
In 2018, Maruyama and her husband moved to Honolulu to pursue their childhood dream jobs: becoming a cosmetic tattoo artist and a firefighter. Maruyama obtained her cosmetic tattoo artist license and the couple opened their own studio while working day jobs. However, the Covid-19 pandemic forced them to shut down their business and left Maruyama furloughed from her call center job. With two rents to pay, Maruyama decided it was time to look for a new job and discovered opportunities in the tech industry.
Despite having no prior experience in tech, Maruyama decided to pursue a Salesforce certified administrator certification after conducting research online. She completed the course in four weeks and landed a remote Salesforce developer job that paid $70,000. Most of the tech jobs she applied for did not require a bachelor’s degree, emphasizing technical and soft skills instead. Maruyama’s willingness to learn and adapt to new skills played a significant role in securing her position.
Building on her newfound success in the tech industry, Maruyama started sharing her experience on TikTok under the username @degreefree, where she garnered a large following. In 2021, she launched Degree Free, an online platform offering career coaching and free resources for young people interested in careers without a college degree. The following year, Maruyama transitioned to a new role as the head of operations at Neo License, a startup specializing in AI software.
The Maruyamas relocated to Houston in 2022 for lower taxes and cost of living, with Hannah continuing to work at Neo License and Ryan focusing on Degree Free. The move proved successful, with Degree Free generating a profit of $128,000 in 2023 from coaching services and brand partnerships. Maruyama attributes her success to consistent upskilling and taking advantage of the numerous degree-free career paths available in today’s world.
Reflecting on her journey, Maruyama acknowledges the shift away from the traditional belief that success is tied to a college degree. She encourages others to explore alternative paths and emphasizes the importance of finding a career that brings happiness and fulfillment. Maruyama’s story serves as inspiration for individuals seeking to forge their own paths to success without a bachelor’s degree.
