For millions of Indian students, the dream is simple: do well in Class 12, crack the entrance exam, get a B.Tech degree and get a job in programming. Abdul Alim’s journey took a different path. He didn’t go to college. He studied only up to Class 10. Yet today, after more than ten years at Zoho Corporation, he serves as a Member of the Technical Staff—proof that talent, passion and the right mentor can sometimes open doors that degrees cannot.In India, career related discussions often revolve around engineering colleges, entrance exams and placements. Every year, lakhs of students spend months preparing for the JEE, hoping that an engineering degree will lead them to a career in programming.But every now and then, a story comes along that reminds us that there are more than one path to success.Abdul Alim’s journey is one such story.Today, he is a member of the Technical Staff at Zoho Corporation, where he has been for more than 12 years. However, when he joined the company in 2013, he was not carrying a laptop or joining as an engineer.He was guarding the door.He left home with only 1,000 rupeesAfter completing Class 10, Alim decided to leave home to find a job.According to a LinkedIn post as he told his story, he had only 1,000 coins. About Rs 800 went towards the train ticket. The rest of the money quickly disappeared, and for about two months he struggled before finding a job as a security guard at Zoho.For many, finding a permanent job would be the end of the journey.For Alim, it was the beginning.
One conversation changed everything
Working long hours in security, Alim caught the attention of a senior employee named Shibu Alexis.Instead of greeting him in passing, the employee asked him about his education and whether he knew anything about computers.Alim said that he learned a little bit of HTML in school.That brief conversation changed his life.The senior employee offered to teach him how to program.
Studying after a 12-hour shift
The arrangements were very difficult.After completing his 12-hour daily security duty, Alim stayed behind to learn to write.There was no engineering class, no training center and no undergraduate course.Instead, there was interest, consistency and a leader willing to invest time in someone who wanted to learn.Months of practice slowly turned into confidence.About eight months later, Alim created a small app that accepted user input and displayed it visually.It wasn’t a big deal.But it showed something more important—his ability to learn.
Interviews he never thought he would get
Intrigued by the request, the senior employee showed it to his manager and asked if Alim could be interviewed for technical work.Alim later admitted that he had never considered such an opportunity.He didn’t go to college.He did not have an engineering degree.Like many young people, he believed that he was the only one who could stop him from becoming a professional programmer.Instead, he was told what he still remembers:“At Zoho, you don’t need a college degree. What matters is you and your skills. “He appeared in the interview.He fixed it.And his career changed forever.
From security desk to software development
In 2014, Alim joined Zoho’s technical team as a Technical Trainer.Over the years, he continued to learn, grow and contribute to the development of medicine.Today, he works as a member of the Technical Staff and has spent over ten years building software at the same company where he once worked as a security guard.His visit also reflects Zoho’s long-standing emphasis on recruiting through methods such as Zoho Schools of Learning, which focus on practical skills rather than academic content.
Education for students
Alim’s story is not against higher education. For many careers, college is still important.But it reflects the reality of today’s tech industry: practical skills, continuous learning and problem-solving skills are becoming increasingly important alongside academic qualifications.For students, especially those who may be frustrated due to hurdles in board exams or competitive entrance exams, his journey offers a different perspective.One test does not define the whole job.Learning can start anywhere.Sometimes it starts in the classroom.Sometimes it starts after a 12-hour shift at the security desk.And sometimes, all it takes is one person who sees potential before you see yourself.Disclaimer: This article is based on personal information shared on LinkedIn, publicly available professional profiles, and other public sources. Personal experiences and statements are presented as shared by the individual and have not been independently verified by The Times of India.