My fundamentals include a basic knowledge of algorithms, data structures and essentially just how to think about problems in a way that solutions can be program

My fundamentals include a basic knowledge of algorithms, data structures and essentially just how to think about problems in a way that solutions can be programmatically represented. Basically, can you write simple software? Everything you mentioned is also needed, but I really, first and foremost, need them to be able to write some simple software. If they can't do that, I really can't afford to teach them. A CS degree often makes this check simpler than for the candidates with other educations, such as the history degree holder we have. If you don't need that then sure, it's a different hiring game for you.