Abdul Alim’s inspiring journey from security guard to software engineer at Zoho has struck a chord across India, inspiring many with his story of relentless learning and determination. In 2013, barely 19 years old and armed with just ₹1,000—most of which went toward a train ticket—Alim left home and spent two difficult months on the streets before landing a security job at Zoho’s office.
Despite having only completed Class 10 and minimal technical knowledge, a chance interaction with senior employee Shibu Alexis changed his fate. Seeing potential “in his eyes,” Alexis took Alim under his wing, teaching him programming after 12-hour shifts.
Over eight months, Alim taught himself coding and built a simple app that visualized user input, a project that impressed both his mentor and the management. Zoho recognized his true potential, assuring him that a college degree was not mandatory and that skills and passion mattered more. Encouraged, he aced his interview and joined their as a software development engineer.
Now, eight years later, Alim credits his mentor and company’s inclusive culture for his transformation. His story affirms that it’s never too late to start learning and how work ethic paired with opportunity can open new doors—notably supported by Zoho’s philosophy of valuing talent beyond formal education.
This narrative has gone viral on LinkedIn, touching thousands of hearts amid rising conversations around skill-based employment in India’s tech sector. Alim’s journey is a testament to resilience, mentorship, and challenging traditional notions of success tied exclusively to degrees—emphasizing lifelong learning and on-the-job growth.
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Summary:
Abdul Alim’s remarkable rise from a security guard to a software engineer at Zoho underscores how curiosity, mentorship, and determination can unlock opportunity, even without formal qualifications. It also highlights Zoho’s progressive hiring culture that prioritizes skill and potential over degrees, inspiring millions of Indians on similar journeys of growth and transformation
