My Journey

A Journey of Perseverance and Determination: From Humble Beginnings to IT Leadership

I was born into a large family with six siblings—four brothers and two sisters—where financial hardships were a constant part of life. My father, the sole breadwinner, worked tirelessly, cycling 40 to 45 kilometers daily to provide for us. Despite his long hours, my mother did her part as well, stitching clothes at home to help support the family. Life was a daily struggle, but their dedication left an indelible mark on me.

My place in the family—being the fourth child—meant I was spared much of the pressure that weighed on my older siblings, particularly my eldest brother, who had the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

While my family worked hard to make ends meet, affording quality education was out of reach. I attended a government school where learning was minimal, and with Urdu as my mother tongue, studying in English was an immense challenge. I struggled throughout school, particularly in English, and even failed my 10th-grade exams. I vividly remember failing the English exam, which seemed like an insurmountable obstacle given that the entire curriculum was in English. But I didn’t give up. I took private tuition to catch up, determined not to let this barrier stop me. After multiple attempts and setbacks, I eventually passed.

College was not an option for me due to the financial strain on my family. At just 15, I knew I had contribute, but I wasn’t sure how. I decided to pursue a course in air conditioning and refrigeration from Sir Syed Industrial Training Institute (ITI), which marked the first step in my career. I completed the course and began practicing as an AC technician at my uncle’s shop. It was honest work, but I felt a growin desire for something more.

Then, a piece of information changed my life: Sir Syed ITI had started offering computer courses. A “Diploma in Computer Applications” caught my eye. The course included MS-DOS, early versions of Windows, and other applications I couldn’t have imagined learning just a short while earlier. This was the beginning of my journey into the world of IT, a field that was still very new and mysterious to me at the time.

My entrance into IT felt like destiny, and it opened doors I never thought possible. Each step since then has been fueled by my passion to learn, my willingness to never give up, and the foundation laid by my parents' hard work and sacrifice. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, from repairing air conditioners to leading IT security operations, and it’s all thanks to the values of perseverance, dedication, and resilience that were instilled in me from a young age.

Education

Overcoming Obstacles to Pursue My Dreams

After passing my 10th-grade exams, I faced a significant challenge: I couldn’t attend college due to my family's financial situation. This led to a two-year gap in my education, but my desire to study never faded.

I began exploring alternative ways to continue my education. Since I hadn’t completed my intermediate (11th and 12th grades), I wasn’t eligible for regular degree or bachelor’s courses. The only option available to me was open university, so I enrolled in a B.Com program.

The open university offered classes on weekends—two classes every week—which allowed me to continue learning while working on other skills. Around the same time, I had completed my Diploma in Computer Applications from Sir Syed ITI, and this marked the beginning of my IT journey.

Sir Syed ITI arranged interviews for students who had completed the diploma, and only a few were selected for a prestigious computer hardware course offered by MMH Computers. I was fortunate to be one of the few selected, and this moment was even recognized in a small newspaper article—a proud moment for me and my family.

My first trainer and mentor at MMH Computers, Mr. Imtiyaz Khan, played a pivotal role in guiding me through this new world of IT. He not only taught me the essentials of computer hardware but also reassured my father that this path would lead me to success, even without a formal degree. His words resonated: degrees bring honor and prestige, but acquiring these technical skills would open doors for me. My father deeply admired Mr. Imtiyaz’s encouragement and always believed in the value of the IT skills I was learning. He would often mention how grateful he was for Mr. Imtiyaz's support.

My father passed away in Chicago, USA in the year 2021 , but he carried that belief with him until the end of his life, always reminding me of the importance of sincerity and dedication in whatever I pursued.