Tier 3 College Grads Thrive at Zoho, Apple, NVIDIA, Say “Anyone Can Be a Tech Rockstar”

Over one‑third of Zoho, Apple and NVIDIA employees come from Tier 3 colleges, proving that “anyone can become a tech rockstar”

India, 22nd October, 2025: While elite college names still open doors, a new survey by Blind, the anonymous community app for verified professionals, shows that they are no longer the golden ticket many assume. According to the survey of 1,602 Indian professionals conducted between September 17–24, 2025, graduates from lesser-known ‘Tier 3’ colleges comprise over one-third of the workforce at top global tech firms like Zoho, Apple, and NVIDIA.

Colleges were grouped into four tiers based on National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025: Tier 1 (IITs, IISc, top IIMs, BITS Pilani), Tier 2 (NITs, DTU, Jadavpur University, and similar), and Tier 3 (other state or private universities), with an additional category for overseas institutions.

While traditional financial firms still place value on college names, major tech firms tend to prioritize skills. At companies like Zoho, Apple, NVIDIA, SAP, and PayPal, where many respondents said college had no influence on their careers, an average of 34% of surveyed employees were Tier 3 graduates.

In contrast, traditional financial and other tech firms such as Goldman Sachs, Visa, Atlassian, Oracle, and Google still rely heavily on campus hiring. Yet even there, an average of 18% of respondents came from Tier 3 colleges. The message is clear: in today’s job market, talent speaks louder than your alma mater.

How people judged the importance of pedigree often reflected their own backgrounds. While the vast majority of Tier 1 and Tier 2 alumni agreed that campus recruitment shaped their careers more than any other factor, 59% of Tier 3 graduates and 45% of overseas graduates said their college was no more than another line on a résumé.

When asked about salary, only 15% of Tier 3 alumni reported a strong benefit from their education; 74% said it helped only early on or not at all. More than half of overseas graduates (53%) also felt college had little or no effect on their earnings.

These findings align with global trends. A recent Forbes analysis notes that 90% of companies see better hiring outcomes when they prioritise skills over degrees, describing the rise of skills‑based hiring as a “fundamental transformation”. For Indian professionals from lower-ranked universities, it’s proof that global tech careers are no longer out of reach, as long as they can demonstrate relevant skills.

A Salesforce professional who noted that they’ve taken over 300 interviews shared their observation on Blind: “In general, people from IIT/IIIT/NIT do better in the interviews…50% of the screened candidates from IIT/IIIT/NIT usually end up getting an offer. The other lot, the success rate is around 20%.” Yet a Goldman Sachs employee emphasized that opportunity is not closed off to others: “Companies aren’t just looking at IITs anymore, they’re hunting grads from small towns and Tier 3 colleges. They’re literally betting that with some training, anyone can become a tech rockstar.” 

Methodology

Blind surveyed 1,602 verified Indian professionals via its app between September 17 and 24, 2025, to examine how college background influences career outcomes.

Questions asked:

• Which category best describes your college?
  • Tier 1 – IITs, IISc, top IIMs, BITS Pilani, etc. (41%)
  • Tier 2 – NITs, DTU, Jadavpur, other leading state/private universities (30%)
  • Tier 3 – Other Indian state or private universities (25%)
  • Overseas university outside India (4%)

• Which opportunity from your college has had the greatest impact on your career?
  • Campus placement (49%)
  • Strong entry into tech roles (13%)
  • Access to global career opportunities (5%)
  • Higher starting salary (7%)
  • None of the above, it’s just another line on my CV (26%)

• How much has your education affected your salary?
  • Strong – Major factor in salary offers and growth (36%)
  • Moderate – Other factors matter equally (19%)
  • Slight – Helped early, but performance counts more (25%)
  • None – No link to salary (20%)

Colleges were grouped into four categories based on the NIRF 2025 university ranking, which lists the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru first, followed by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE):

• Tier 1 includes perennial top performers like the IITs, IISc, top IIMs and BITS Pilani.
• Tier 2 covers reputable institutions such as NITs, DTU, and Jadavpur.
• Tier 3 consists of all other state or private universities in India.
• A separate category for overseas institutions.

Breakdowns by tier, company, and detailed response ratios can be found in the accompanying data sheet: full dataset

Legacy, Grace and Grandeur Converge as Welham Girls’ School Observes 68th Founders’ Day

Dehradun, 20th October 2025: Welham Girls’ School, the premier legacy all-girls school in Dehradun, came alive with joy and nostalgia on its 68th Founders’ Day as faculty, students and alumnae commemorated the founding visionaries Miss Hersilia Susie Oliphant and Miss Grace Mary Linnell, who took the brave step of laying the foundation of an all-girls school way back in 1957 to shape confident and compassionate young women. A vibrant two-day programme celebrated the essence of its thriving legacy while embracing the exciting promise of tomorrow in a joyful confluence of learning, creativity, and achievement.  

The festivities began with the Annual Sports Meet, which saw the school grounds coming alive with spirited displays of athletics, track events, karate, and aerobics, reflecting Welham’s deep commitment to physical fitness and holistic education. Students who had excelled in sports, including several state, national, and international medallists, were felicitated for their achievements in the concluding Prize Distribution Ceremony.

Gracing the sports meet as the Chief Guest was Sonya Philip, Founder and CEO of Learning Matters and an alumna from the Batch of 1975.  She commended the school for nurturing well-rounded individuals  who pursue excellence with empathy and integrity.

This edition of the Founders’ Day was special as the Class of 1975 marked their Golden Jubilee year and the Class of 2000 their Silver Jubilee year. It called for endless laughter, talks, and reliving that Welham feeling once more that continues to bind all who have lived it.

The main Founders’ Day programme had Ambassador Gaitri Issar Kumar, former High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, gracing the event as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, she said, “It is truly wonderful how the small school started by Ms. Linnell and Ms. Oliphant has now grown into such a reputed institution. Your motto, Aartt Shanti Phala Vidya, seems more relevant than ever before. It reminds us that education builds wisdom, the wisdom to use our learning for the betterment of this planet. The school’s ability to blend tradition with contemporary relevance makes it a living institution of thought and action.

Romesh Sobti, President, Board of Governors, Welham Girls’ School Society added, “Welham is, in many ways, a living laboratory for education. It is far more than a school; it is an enduring community of women. Our vision is to make the school future-ready. We are building AI fluency at all levels, helping students understand how AI technology works and the impact it creates, enabling them to engage with technology thoughtfully. We are making our curriculum truly transdisciplinary.”

Adding to the joyous reflections, Vibha Kapoor, Principal, Welham Girls’ School, said, “Today is not only a celebration of achievements but also a moment of reflection, on the journey of our girls and the true purpose of a boarding school like ours. At Welham, education goes far beyond academics; it builds character, nurtures resilience, and equips young women to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This year, we inaugurated Echoes of Eternity, our very own school museum that lovingly preserves Welham’s story and honours our founders, Ms. H. S. Oliphant and Ms. Grace Mary Linnell. Welham will continue to nurture young women who carry forward a legacy of excellence and empathy, one that would make our founders smile with pride, knowing their vision lives on.”

Among the core highlights on the first day, an insightful career counselling session on ‘Subject Choices and Career’ set the conversations rolling. The interactive session guided parents of Classes VIII and X students on aligning subject selection with individual strengths and aspirations while highlighting the comprehensive guidance offered by the school’s Careers Department.

The second day witnessed a series of creative exhibitions under the theme Neti Neti – Neither Defined, Nor Undefined. Students explored this philosophical idea of boundless inquiry through scientific experiments, mathematical models, psychological studies, historical interpretations, and art installations. The displays reflected critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation, inviting visitors to engage with the idea of questioning definitions and embracing ambiguity.

Evenings were set aside for cultural exuberance as the school auditorium transformed into a theatre of laughter and wit with the inaugural student production of Arsenic and Old Lace. The play, brought to life by 14 talented student actors, combined humour, suspense, and farce in a delightful performance that enthralled the audience. The second day’s schedule saw a dance drama, Anhad Naad taking the audience on a mystical exploration of the eternal cosmic vibration, the ‘unstruck sound’ that transcends time and form. Through intricate choreography and evocative storytelling, students traced the seeker’s journey of awakening the seven chakras, symbolising the path to inner peace and unity.

The celebrations concluded on a reflective note, honouring the spirit of the founders and the generations who have carried their vision forward. Rooted in tradition yet attuned to the times, Welham Girls’ School continues to inspire learning that is thoughtful, purposeful, and timeless.