It can vary from company to company, but generally, a degree in design may be preferred or required for certain roles within a company, specifically in the field of design. However, having a strong portfolio of work and relevant experience can often be just as important as a degree, especially in the tech industry where skills and experience can be more valued than formal education. For referrals, you can try this site https://refermarket.com/ Saw this site from blind forum. It's a great app I guess because they offer job referral requests to companies that are still hiring and your role might be there. Just try your luck