[ILUG] OT: A university degree is required. Why?

[ronan at iaa.es]

Stephen Holmes wrote:
> Bill Gates (Microsoft) dropped out of Harvard, 1976
> Steve Jobs (Apple, NeXT, Pixar) left Reed College in Portland, Oregon,
> after 1 semester
> Steve Wozniak (with Jobs, founded Apple Computer)
> Lawrence Ellison (Oracle Computer)
> Michael Dell (Dell Computer) dropped out of the University of Texas

Would I be right in thinking that these are stunningly bad examples - on
the grounds that not one of them ever formally applied for a job?  I
mean, ever?  This does make them kinda bad examples, no?

1: *We* all know that a degree (or whatever) doesn't magically confer
competence.
2: Lots of HR people are impervious to this.
3: This is not fair on competent people without the bits of paper.

(Do we have a demi-urge on the list able to change the nature of reality?
 Or at least the nature of clueless HR drones?  No?  Okay, so 3 remains
both unfair and true.)

I see two solutions - acquire a piece of paper or bypass HR: 
Self-employment is one option (taken by all of Stephen's examples). 
You can also talk yourself/demonstrate yourself into a job so that you
get hired (or very close to being hired/preferred candidate) before HR
even find out you exist.

Ronan