Latest news with #Palantirian
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
A Harvard, Princeton, or Yale degree won't set you apart, says Palantir CEO Alex Karp
When Alex Karp, CEO of software company Palantir Technologies, spoke during the company's recent earnings call, he made a pointed remark that might resonate with students and early-career professionals alike. Karp said that degrees from top institutions like Harvard, Princeton, or Yale no longer carry weight once someone joins the company. 'If you did not go to school, or you went to a school that's not that great, or you went to Harvard or Princeton or Yale, once you come to Palantir, you're a Palantirian. No one cares about the other stuff,' he said, pushing back against the long-held assumption that elite credentials guarantee success in the workplace. Founded in 2003, Palantir builds data platforms used by institutions across sectors. But beyond the tech and contracts, what stood out this time was the CEO's clear stance on educational backgrounds. Degrees don't define performance Karp said the company is working towards building what he described as a "new credential" that focuses on work done at the company, rather than the institution someone attended. The approach reflects a shift some employers are beginning to adopt, evaluating candidates based on skills and performance rather than academic pedigree. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'We are making a new credential independent of class and background at Palantir,' he added. According to Karp, this shift is not just philosophical. He noted that some employees without college degrees are contributing at levels equal to or greater than their peers with formal education. 'People with less than a college education are creating a lot of value, and sometimes more value than people with a college education, using our product,' he said. From campus to workplace: A stark transition Karp also drew a contrast between academic settings and professional expectations. He said many new hires arrive from universities where they have mostly 'been engaged in platitudes,' and described the work environment at the company as very different from anything they've experienced before. 'We're asking people to work in an environment, when they come in here, that is very different than anything they've ever worked on,' he said. While many companies still list degrees from top universities as desirable in job postings, some are rethinking that approach. Several large firms have already begun focusing on demonstrable skills, certifications, or hands-on experience. A broader conversation about credentials Karp's comments contribute to an ongoing debate about the value of a college degree in today's job market. More employers are revisiting what qualifies as 'job-ready.' Micro-credentials, open-source contributions, and real-world project portfolios are gaining relevance in hiring conversations. His assertion that 'this is by far the best credential in tech' may not resonate with everyone, but it signals a wider shift. In some corners of the industry, where you studied is less important than how you contribute once hired. Karp also told CNBC's Morgan Brennan that the company aims to scale revenue significantly while reducing headcount. 'We're planning to grow our revenue … while decreasing our number of people. This is a crazy, efficient revolution. The goal is to get 10x revenue and have 3,600 people. We have now 4,100,' he said. What students and professionals should keep in mind For those navigating college admissions or early career decisions, these remarks come at a time when the return on investment in traditional education is being re-evaluated. While degrees from institutions like Harvard, Princeton, or Yale continue to carry weight in many fields, the shift in hiring language across some parts of the tech sector suggests they are no longer the only pathway to opportunity. Performance, adaptability, and the ability to work in ambiguous and evolving environments are increasingly valued. For students, this may mean building projects beyond the classroom. For professionals, it may involve upskilling or pivoting to roles where skills speak louder than titles. Not every company shares the same outlook, but the conversation has clearly moved. What matters most is no longer just where you studied, but how you show up when it counts. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Palantir CEO Alex Karp says college degrees don't matter: ‘We are asking people to…'
Palantir CEO Alex Karp has sparked conversation with his remarks at the company's recent earnings call. Karp said that college degrees, even from top universities, do not matter at Palantir. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He explained that once someone joins the company, their past educational background does not remain important. 'If you did not go to school, or you went to a school that's not that great, or you went to Harvard or Princeton or Yale, once you come to Palantir, you're a Palantirian, no one cares about the other stuff,' CEO Alex Karp said. 'We are making a new credential independent of class and background at Palantir,' he stated. Speaking during the earnings call, Karp said that Palantir expects its employees to work in a very different environment than what they are used to. He said 'We're asking people to work in an environment, when they come in here, that is very different than anything they've ever worked on'. "Most of them come from university, where they've just been engaged in platitudes," Karp added. Palantir CEO: People without college degrees create a lot of value He also said that people without a college degree are often adding more value to Palantir's work than those with degrees. 'People with less than a college education are creating a lot of value — and sometimes more value than people with a college education — using our product,' Karp added. While Palantir does not focus on educational qualifications, Karp believes that working at Palantir itself is a powerful credential for a career in technology. 'This is by far the best credential in tech,' he said. 'If you come to Palantir, your career is set.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Karp's comments reflect the company's focus on skills and work performance rather than academic degrees. Palantir posted over $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time. The company's revenue grew 48% during the second quarter. In an interview with CNBC's Morgan Brennan , Alex Karp said 'We're planning to grow our revenue … while decreasing our number of people. This is a crazy, efficient revolution. The goal is to get 10x revenue and have 3,600 people. We have now 4,100.'
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Palantir lifts annual revenue forecast again as AI demand accelerates
The data analytics and defense software firm is getting a boost from U.S. President Donald Trump's focus on national security and a shift in the Pentagon's software-buying process towards commercial and "non-traditional" providers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Palantir Technologies on Monday raised its annual revenue forecast for the second time this year, expecting sustained demand for its AI-linked services from businesses and data analytics and defense software firm is getting a boost from U.S. President Donald Trump's focus on national security and a shift in the Pentagon's software-buying process towards commercial and "non-traditional" week, the U.S. Army said it might purchase services of up to $10 billion from the company over a shares were up 4% in extended trading. They have more than doubled in value this year, as investors bet on the company's ability to benefit from the proliferation of AI technology and government spending on defense company projected revenue in the range of $4.14 billion to $4.15 billion this year, up from its earlier forecast of between $3.89 billion and $3.90 raised forecast is also above analysts' average estimate of $3.90 billion, according to data compiled by to the U.S. government jumped 53% to $426 million, representing more than 42% of total second-quarter revenue of about $1 billion, which beat estimates."They have accelerants on both sides (commercial and government)" said Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson who has a "neutral" rating on the stock."On the government side, their capabilities have gotten to a point where they can be the lead contractor on increasingly large projects."Palantir, co-founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, said it expects revenue derived from U.S. businesses to come in above $1.30 billion this year, up from its earlier guidance of more than $1.18 company beat second-quarter adjusted earnings expectations and forecast current-quarter sales above expects expenses to significantly ramp up in the third quarter due to the seasonality of the hiring process, CFO David Glazer said during a post-earnings firms have been competing to attract and retain top talent, as they race to champion rapidly evolving AI technology. "We are doing very well on the talent acquisition and retention side," CEO Alex Karp said on the the hiring frenzy for AI roles escalates to professional athlete levels, Karp said that recruiting did not focus on educational background."Once you come to Palantir, you're a 'Palantirian'. No one cares about the other stuff."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Palantir lifts annual revenue forecast again as AI demand accelerates
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Palantir Technologies on Monday raised its annual revenue forecast for the second time this year, expecting sustained demand for its AI-linked services from businesses and data analytics and defense software firm is getting a boost from U.S. President Donald Trump's focus on national security and a shift in the Pentagon's software-buying process towards commercial and "non-traditional" week, the U.S. Army said it might purchase services of up to $10 billion from the company over a shares were up 4% in extended trading. They have more than doubled in value this year, as investors bet on the company's ability to benefit from the proliferation of AI technology and government spending on defense company projected revenue in the range of $4.14 billion to $4.15 billion this year, up from its earlier forecast of between $3.89 billion and $3.90 raised forecast is also above analysts' average estimate of $3.90 billion, according to data compiled by to the U.S. government jumped 53% to $426 million, representing more than 42% of total second-quarter revenue of about $1 billion, which beat estimates."They have accelerants on both sides (commercial and government)" said Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson who has a "neutral" rating on the stock."On the government side, their capabilities have gotten to a point where they can be the lead contractor on increasingly large projects."Palantir, co-founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, said it expects revenue derived from U.S. businesses to come in above $1.30 billion this year, up from its earlier guidance of more than $1.18 company beat second-quarter adjusted earnings expectations and forecast current-quarter sales above expects expenses to significantly ramp up in the third quarter due to the seasonality of the hiring process, CFO David Glazer said during a post-earnings firms have been competing to attract and retain top talent, as they race to champion rapidly evolving AI technology. "We are doing very well on the talent acquisition and retention side," CEO Alex Karp said on the the hiring frenzy for AI roles escalates to professional athlete levels, Karp said that recruiting did not focus on educational background."Once you come to Palantir, you're a 'Palantirian'. No one cares about the other stuff."
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Palantir CEO Alex Karp takes a shot at elite colleges and says the company offers 'a new credential independent of class'
On Monday's earnings call, Palantir executives took shots at elite education while expressing optimism about "blue collar" workers who use the company's software products. "If you did not go to school, or you went to a school that's not that great, or you went to Harvard or Princeton or Yale, once you come to Palantir, you're a Palantirian, no one cares about the other stuff," CEO Alex Karp said. "We are making a new credential independent of class and background at Palantir." Such rhetoric seems increasingly par for the course for Karp as well as Silicon Valley founders and investors who have rejected higher education in favor of nontraditional paths to careers in tech, like founding a company out of high school or joining Palantir instead of enrolling in college. That's the goal of the company's Meritocracy Fellowship, which launched in the spring. "We're asking people to work in an environment, when they come in here, that is very different than anything they've ever worked on," Karp added. "Most of them come from university, where they've just been engaged in platitudes." The Trump administration has also espoused this college-skeptical viewpoint. At the Winning the AI Race Summit in Washington, DC, in July, Vice President JD Vance told the crowd that some college students "feel like they're living in a North Korean totalitarian-style dictatorship" while at university. "I think the entire university system in this country is broken," Vance added. He was met with applause from the audience of venture capitalists, policymakers, and founders. Karp also said on Monday's call that people without college degrees are using some of Palantir's products, though he didn't specify which ones: "People with less than a college education are creating a lot of value — and sometimes more value than people with a college education — using our product," Karp said. While a degree from an elite college might not mean much to Palantir, Karp thinks working at his company is a strong career signal: "This is by far the best credential in tech," he said. "If you come to Palantir, your career is set." (Business Insider has previously reported that tech recruiters are mixed on whether working at Palantir alone can predict strong career outcomes.)
