Hannah Maruyama’s journey from bartending to a six-figure salary in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) showcases the power of determination and alternative career paths outside the traditional college route. Despite initial doubts about her career prospects without a bachelor’s degree, Maruyama’s story highlights the potential for success in non-traditional career trajectories.
Maruyama’s early academic experiences were uninspiring, leading her to question the value of higher education. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to go into debt for this?'” she recalls, reflecting on her time at Georgia Southern University. After leaving college and working various jobs, including lifeguarding and bartending, Maruyama embarked on a journey that would eventually lead her to a lucrative career in AI.
In her late twenties, Maruyama’s career trajectory took a significant turn. She transitioned from working odd jobs to breaking the $100,000 salary barrier in AI, all without a bachelor’s degree. Her success story defies conventional wisdom and serves as inspiration for those exploring alternative paths to career success.
Maruyama’s entrepreneurial spirit also led her to establish Degree Free, an online platform offering career coaching and free educational resources to young individuals interested in careers that do not require a college degree. Through Degree Free, Maruyama shares her experience and expertise, helping others navigate their career journeys outside the traditional academic framework.
Despite facing challenges, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her tattoo studio business, Maruyama remained resilient and adaptive. Her determination to succeed and willingness to learn new skills propelled her towards achieving financial success and making a positive impact in the career coaching space.
“Growing up, I was often told that college was the end-all-be-all, that you couldn’t be successful without it,” Maruyama reflects. “But that’s just not the world we live in anymore. There are a million different degree-free paths you can explore, and I count myself lucky to have found one that makes me happy.”
Sources By Agencies
