Rejected by 27 Universities, Hyderabad Engineer Lands Meta Job

From Humble Beginnings to Silicon Valley Giant

In a story that has captured the attention of students and professionals across India, a Hyderabad engineer has landed a job at Meta — one of the world's most sought-after tech employers — despite being rejected by 27 universities and lacking access to an IIT, NIT, or even a personal computer during his formative years.

No Premier Institute, No Problem

The engineer's journey stands in stark contrast to the widely held belief in India that a degree from an IIT, NIT, or other institution of national importance is a prerequisite for cracking top global tech roles. His story challenges the notion that only graduates of India's most prestigious engineering colleges can compete on the world stage.

Growing up without a home computer, a resource many urban students take for granted, the Hyderabad native had to find alternative ways to build his technical skills and knowledge base. His persistence eventually paid off when he cleared Meta's rigorous hiring process, which is known for its demanding rounds of data structures, algorithms, and system design interviews.

Rejection as a Stepping Stone

The engineer reportedly applied to 27 universities before finding his academic path — a number that would have discouraged most applicants. Rather than treating each rejection as a dead end, he used the setbacks as motivation to sharpen his skills independently.

• No degree from IIT, NIT, or any centrally funded technical institution
• No personal computer at home during school and early college years
• Faced rejection from 27 universities before securing admission
• Eventually cleared Meta's multi-stage technical interview process
• His story has gone viral among Indian engineering aspirants

What This Means for Indian Engineering Aspirants

For the millions of students who appear for JEE Advanced and JEE Main every year hoping to secure a seat at an IIT or NIT, this story offers an important perspective: while premier institutions provide valuable networks and resources, individual skill-building, consistency, and resilience can also open doors to global opportunities.

India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, the vast majority of whom do not attend IITs or NITs. Stories like this one serve as a reminder that career outcomes are not solely determined by the college name on a degree certificate.

Skill-Building Beyond Campus Gates

The engineer's success underscores the growing importance of self-paced learning platforms, open-source contributions, and competitive programming in shaping a tech career. Resources available online have increasingly levelled the playing field for students from smaller cities and economically modest backgrounds.

Career counsellors and educators in India have pointed to this case as evidence that students should invest in building a strong portfolio and practising problem-solving consistently, regardless of the institution they attend. For guidance on engineering admissions and career pathways, students can explore resources at CollegeUnify.