Once a security guard, now a developer: A Tamil Nadu man’s journey at Zoho wins hearts online

A Tamil Nadu man’s journey from security guard to software engineer at Zoho has gone viral on LinkedIn, capturing hearts across the country. Abdul Aleem’s story is one of resilience, self-learning and unwavering determination – proof that opportunities often find those who refuse to give up.

In his LinkedIn post, Aleem narrated how he left home in 2013 with just Rs 1,000 and spent Rs 800 on a train ticket. Without a job or shelter, he spent nearly two months on the streets before getting a job as a security guard in a Zoho office.

During one of his 12-hour shifts, Alim’s life took a different turn. Shibu Alexis, a senior Zoho employee, noticed him and struck up a conversation. “He asked my name and said, ‘Oh Aleem, I can see something in your eyes,’” Alim recalls. Although he only studied up to 10th grade and knew the basics of HTML, his curiosity for learning was evident.

Alexis decided to guide him. For eight months, Aleem juggled day shifts with evening programming classes. His dedication paid off. He created a simple app that visualized user input, and Alexis shared it with a Zoho manager.

The director was impressed by his initiative and invited Alim for an interview. Despite his concerns about not having a college degree, he was reassured: “At Zoho, you don’t need a college degree. What matters here is you and your skills.” Alam completed the interview and joined as a developer.

Eight years later, he remained at Zoho as a software development engineer. “I want to thank Shibu Alexis for all the knowledge and lessons and Zoho for letting me prove myself. On a final note, it’s never too late to start learning,” Aleem wrote, expressing his gratitude.

Social media users praised his persistence and Zoho’s culture of putting merit before credentials, calling his story a reminder of how mentorship and self-confidence can change lives.