Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu has recently announced that a college degree is not necessary to get a job at his company. He also urged Indian parents to stop putting pressure on their children to enter top colleges, saying that skills and hard work matter more than degrees. Vembu’s comments came during an online discussion about new global trends in hiring, where many companies are now giving opportunities to young people without demanding traditional college education.

The discussion started after a post about US-based technology company Palantir went viral. The company had invited high-school graduates, students who had not even gone to college, to work on major tech and national security projects. According to the post, around 500 teenagers applied, and 22 were selected. Some of them even rejected Ivy League admissions or full scholarships because they preferred to start working directly.

Responding to this, Vembu said that more young Americans are choosing to skip college and begin work early. He called this a positive shift, as it allows them to avoid heavy education loans and start earning sooner. He said that the same idea should be accepted in India too.

Vembu highlighted that at Zoho, no job requires a college degree. If any hiring manager adds a degree requirement by mistake, the HR team immediately asks them to remove it. He added that he works every day in Tenkasi with a young team whose average age is just 19, and their energy inspires him.

Vembu believes companies should focus on talent, curiosity, and skills instead of marks and degrees. His message to Indian parents was clear, stop stressing children about getting into top colleges and allow them to choose paths that suit their abilities and interests.