Microsoft Engineer Exposes Nepotism Isn’t Just In Bollywood But In Big Companies Too

No matter how much we deny it, somewhere or other, we all promote nepotism in some ways. Individual relationships have traditionally held significance in a patriarchal society like our own. However, the unregulated dominance of nepotism in politics, business, entertainment, education, and even sports threatens fairness, equality, and the country’s growth prospects.

Nevertheless, nepotism has recently become the most controversial topic everywhere, especially in India. Individuals from every walk of life are stepping forward to share living examples of nepotism. Such a type of story recently surfaced from the IT sector, where individuals usually believe that nepotism does not easily occur there.

Ume Habiba/Instagram

A Microsoft engineer shared how nepotism works in the tech industry

Recently, a Microsoft software engineer, Ume Habiba, posted a video on Instagram in which she revealed the dark reality of corporate nepotism. She claimed that a lot of people at prestigious organizations are hired based on their parents’ clout rather than their abilities or talents. Ume explained how this nepotism works in the industry, saying,

Big tech has equal amounts of nepotism. Managing directors, senior executives, etc. all live in Silicon Valley. When it’s time for their kids to get internships, they are the first people to reach out to their friends at different companies and say, ‘Hey, I’ll hire your kid if you hire mine.’

Furthermore, Ume went on to claim that some young people land jobs without going through the typical hiring procedure, while others breeze through interviews that don’t really cover any technical aspects. She added,

These kids, who don’t have the best skills, whether they’re hard skills or soft skills, make it to these big tech companies because of corporate nepotism. These kids often get to bypass the interview process in order to get their first full-time job.

Have a look at the original video

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ume Habiba (@umxe)

How did netizens react to Ume Habibi’s video?

Within no time, Ume’s video on nepotism in the IT industry spread everywhere like wildfire. Many people expressed similar thoughts, citing that even in industries beyond tech, there is favoritism. Some people even shared their experiences working with less-qualified coworkers. Others opined that nepotism plays only a minor part in tech and barely touches the majority of the workforce.

Have a look at some of the reactions:

Meanwhile, in moderation, nepotism can be viewed as a cultural extension of India’s family-centered ideals, but its widespread occurrence in many different fields presents grave issues. It undermines meritocracy, discourages talent, and sustains inequality.

Such kinds of stories just dishearten the younger generations who are currently striving hard to do something good for the country. For India to truly progress, institutional reforms must ensure transparency, equal access, and fair competition. To realize its full potential and to do something good, India must distribute opportunities according to competence rather than connections.

What’s your take on nepotism in the IT industry? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.