From security guard to software engineer: How Abdul Alim built a career at Zoho without a college degree

He left home with 1,000 rupees, worked as a security guard, and never went to college. Today, he is a software engineer at the same company that originally hired him. (Picture: LinkedIn)

For millions of Indian students, the dream is simple: get good grades in class 12, pass the entrance exam, get a bachelor’s degree in technology and find a software job. Abdul Alim’s journey took a completely different route. He never went to college. He only studied till 10th grade. Yet today, after more than a decade at Zoho Corporation, he is a technical staff member, proving that skill, curiosity and the right mentor can sometimes open doors that a degree cannot.In India, career discussions often revolve around engineering colleges, entrance exams and campus placements. Every year, thousands of students spend months preparing for JEE in the hope that an engineering degree will eventually land them a software job.But every once in a while, a story comes along that reminds us that there is more than one path to success.Abdul Alim’s journey is one such story.Today, he is a technical staff member at Zoho Corporation, where he has been working for over 12 years. However, when he first entered the company in 2013, he didn’t bring a laptop and he didn’t join the company as an engineer.He is guarding the entrance.He left home with only 1000 rupeesAfter completing class 10, Alim decided to leave home and look for a job.according to a LinkedIn Post When he shared his story, he had only 1,000 rupees on him. Nearly 800 rupees were spent on buying train tickets. The remaining money was quickly spent, and he struggled for nearly two months before finally finding a secure job at Zoho.For many people, finding a stable job means the end of the journey.For Alim, this was the beginning.

One conversation changed everything

While working a long security shift, Alim caught the attention of a senior employee named Shibu Alexis.Instead of simply stopping by to say hello, the employee asked about his education and whether he was computer literate.Alim mentioned that he learned a little bit of HTML in school.That brief conversation changed the course of his life.The senior employee offered to teach him programming.

Studying after a 12-hour shift

This arrangement was no easy matter.After completing his 12-hour day security mission, Alim would stay and learn programming.There are no engineering classrooms, no tutoring facilities, and no formal degree programs.Instead, mentors who have curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to invest time in people who want to learn.Months of practice slowly turned into confidence.About eight months later, Alim had built a small application that could accept user input and display them visually.It’s not a large commercial product.But he showed something more important – the ability to learn.

An interview he never thought he’d go to

Impressed with the application, the senior employee showed it to his manager and asked Alim if he could be interviewed for a technical position.Alim later admitted that he never thought he would have such an opportunity.He didn’t go to college.He doesn’t have an engineering degree.Like many young people, he believed that alone was not enough to make him a software engineer.Instead, he was told something he still remembers:“At Zoho, you don’t need a college degree. What matters is you and your skills. “He showed up for an interview.He cleared it.His career changed forever.

From secure desktop to software development

In 2014, Alim joined Zoho’s technical team as an engineering intern.Over the years, he has continued to learn, grow and contribute to product development.Today, he works as a technician and has spent more than a decade building software for the same company where he once worked as a security guard.His experience also reflects Zoho’s longstanding emphasis on skills-based hiring through initiatives such as Zoho Learning Academy, which focus on practical abilities rather than just academic qualifications.

Lessons for students

Alim’s story is not an argument against formal education. For many careers, college remains vital.But it does highlight an important reality in today’s tech industry: practical skills, continuous learning and problem-solving are becoming as valuable as academic qualifications.For students, especially those who might be discouraged by setbacks in board exams or competitive entrance exams, his journey provides a different perspective.One exam does not define an entire career.Learning can start anywhere.Sometimes it starts in the classroom.Sometimes it starts after a 12-hour shift at the security desk.Sometimes, all it takes is someone who sees the potential before you see it yourself.Disclaimer: This article is based on information shared by individuals on LinkedIn, publicly available professional information, and other publicly accessible sources. Personal experiences and opinions are shared solely by individuals and have not been independently verified by The Times of India.