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Degreefree

A practical blueprint for young people who want momentum without debt, and for parents who want clarity without guesswork.

Degreefree

Quick take

Degree Free helps families guide 16 to 20 year olds into clear, skill-based careers. They offer a workbook set for do-it-yourself planning, a 1-on-1 coaching program, a deep podcast library, and a free weekly newsletter packed with step-by-step actions. Their core idea is simple. Start with goals, then design skills, then ship outcomes. Credentials are optional. Degree Free+3Degree Free+3Degree Free+3

The problem Degree Free is trying to solve

Student debt is massive and unevenly useful. Federal Reserve and New York Fed data show outstanding student loans at roughly 1.6 to 1.8 trillion dollars in 2025, with millions of borrowers carrying balances long after graduation. Federal Reserve Bank of New York+2Federal Reserve Bank of New York+2

At the same time, more employers are shifting toward skills-first hiring and removing paper degree filters from many roles. Major companies began dropping degree requirements in recent years, and national campaigns encourage employers to see candidates who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes, known as STARs. tearthepaperceiling.org+3SSTI+3Ad Council Org+3

Degree Free steps into that gap with a family-friendly process that puts the human first and the credential second. Degree Free

What Degree Free is

Degree Free is a mission-driven project led by Ryan and Hannah Maruyama. Publicly, they host the Degree Free podcast and publish hands-on guides that show people how to get real jobs, build businesses, and make money without a degree. Degree Free+1

On their site you will find two primary offerings plus free content. Degree Free

What they offer

1) The Degree Free Way workbook set
A guided, self-paced workbook for parents and teens. It helps a young person define life goals, pick aligned roles, decide if a degree is actually required, and leave with three clear job paths. The audience sweet spot is proactive families with a teen who is willing to research and try things. Degree Free

2) Degree Free Launch Program
A 1-on-1 coaching track. A coach works with your teen to turn goals into a stepwise plan, select entry roles and skill stacks, and map immediate actions. Degree Free

3) Free content
A weekly newsletter with action plans and resource picks for teens, and a large podcast library covering tactics for getting good work without a degree. Degree Free+1

Clarity over credentials. Skills over signals.
Momentum over indecision.

How their approach works in practice

From their materials, the pattern looks like this.

  1. Clarify life outcomes first. Income target, lifestyle, place, schedule, values.
  2. Pick roles that directly map to those outcomes.
  3. Identify the minimum marketable skill stack and the fastest learning paths.
  4. Build a portfolio or proof of work.
  5. Apply with a tight story and iterate quickly. Degree Free

The podcast and newsletter backstop this plan with concrete ideas like certification paths, apprenticeship programs, and on-ramps into sales, customer success, trade roles, media, or tech. Degree Free+1

Why this matters now

A skills-first path can reduce time and cost while matching the way many employers now hire. Reports and campaigns across the ecosystem show movement away from degree screens and toward proof of skills. That shift pairs well with self-paced learning from places like open university platforms and certification programs. Coursera+3SSTI+3Ad Council Org+3

For families staring at the debt math, the alternative is appealing. National data place total student debt in the 1.6 to 1.8 trillion range, which makes clarity at 16 or 18 years old a real advantage. Federal Reserve Bank of New York+1

Strengths we see

  • Family-centered design. Their materials speak to parents and teens together, which increases follow-through. Degree Free
  • Action over theory. Weekly steps, tools, and checklists keep momentum high. Degree Free
  • Large free library. The podcast archives are a low-friction way to start. Degree Free

Where Degree Free fits in The Galactic Mind worldview

We explore the edges of human wonder and the systems that unlock it. Degree Free is one of those systems. Their work equips young people to navigate an AI-accelerated economy by stacking skills, building portfolios, and choosing learning that serves the life they want. This is curiosity with traction. This is the future of humanity.

Who this may not be for

If a teen or adult is targeting a field that legally requires a degree or licensure, such as medicine or certain engineering tracks, a Degree Free plan becomes a supplement rather than a replacement. The workbook still helps clarify goals and reduce misaligned coursework. Degree Free

How a parent can start in a weekend

  • Read the overview of the workbook and decide whether you want DIY or coaching. Degree Free+1
  • Subscribe to the newsletter and pick one action plan to execute with your teen this week. Degree Free
  • Browse two podcast episodes that match your teen’s interests and pull three concrete next steps. Degree Free

Sources and further reading

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