Is this really true? Which companies or employers don't put much emphasis on degrees?
AFAIK, only a small number of companies don't require a degree, not the majority as many people seem to believe. Besides, dropping degree requirement usually only applies to certain positions. But for senior and important positions, a degree is still almost a requirement.
Look at companies like Google, IBM, and Tesla, which have been among the pioneers of this trend. But look at their senior leadership position, and you'll see that most of them have a university degree, a bachelor's degree or higher.
A university degree is still very important in today's job market.
A degree can help, but it doesn't make someone more capable or more qualified to get a job. There are people who developed their skills through their environment, through self learning, certifications, apprenticeship and practical projects.
Companies like Google, Tesla and IBM have senior executives who have degrees, but that doesn't prove that this is the requirement for reaching senior positions. The job market is evolving more towards skills. Employers mostly look for the person who can actually do the work rather than those who just have theoretical knowledge. We cannot deny importance of degrees for different fields like medicine, law, engineering and some other professions, but they are not be only path to have a successful career
A degree doesn't make you more capable or automatically more qualified for a job, but it can open more doors and give you more opportunities.
If you only have a degree, you may or may not be chosen by an employer when competing against someone with practical skill. But you are almost certain to get hired if you have both a degree and experience when competing against someone who only has experience.
Yes, the job market is starting to place more importance on skill. I do not deny that. However, I would bet that degree is still a requirement for many senior position.
I never said academics and degrees are the only path to success.
https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/joseph-fuller-college-degree-gap