The traditional career formula—earn a degree, get hired, climb the ladder—has been a reliable script for decades. But in 2026, that script is being rewritten in real time. In a recent discussion with students, Google cofounder Sergey Brin said the company has hired “tons” of people who don’t have bachelor’s degrees. According to Brin, many of these hires are self-taught, highly adaptable and able to learn quickly outside the classroom—skills that can matter more than a formal credential in modern tech roles. His commen...