Uma Maheswari Vythianathan
Life at Zoho
Describe your current role in the organization.
I am the Director at Zoho Schools of Learning, heading Zoho School of Technology, Chennai.
We have an enthusiastic and enlightening team of faculty, a young bunch of teaching assistants, and bright students who are just out of school or polytechnic college. Around 100+ students join us every year. I take care of the overall administration of this school, right from the students' recruitment until their placement in Zoho. I teach these students mainly two subjects: Mathematics and Statistics, and Fundamentals of Databases.
What role does Zoho's company culture play in your identity and the work that you do?
I have always been in love with the company culture and the way our employees have been cared for. I also love the informal work culture where we do not go by pre-written rules or rigid requirements but rather go by where the heart and mind takes us. Coming from a process-oriented setup in my previous engagement with a prestigious engineering college, this system was very new to me but was easily adaptable. I love that I play a massive role in shaping the future employees of Zoho through Zoho Schools.
What does your work space currently look like?
My MacBook is attached to an iPad, so I can use them both while teaching classes. I draw and write on my iPad and project it during my class. I have a notebook and a pen next to me as well. A few reference books are on my table when I need them for my classes.
At Work
Your most embarrassing blunder?
Once, our team left for a remote town to conduct tests for over 1,000 candidates. We traveled over 3 hours only to realize that we had carried only the question papers with us and had left behind our customized answer sheets. We had to wait for the local DTP shop to open and make printouts of the answer sheets.
Thankfully, this process is now paperless. It is an entirely online examination system.
Tell us about a time you overcame a challenge you didn't think was possible.
When we had to work from home due to COVID-19, I was concerned about starting the new academic year completely online. This was primarily because a good fraction of our students were from rural and humble economic backgrounds. Many did not have sufficient exposure to be conversant using a laptop or spoken English skills. We approached this situation with patience, and within a few weeks, we could see improvements, and it paid off.
Is there a project or an accomplishment at Zoho you're proud of?
Zoho Schools was recognized by NASSCOM in 2009 for their Innovation Awards under the Process Innovation category. Zoho submitted the case of Zoho Schools under the innovation of sourcing talent, recruitment, and training methodologies to tap talent in high school graduates. We were declared the joint runner-up in the category.
Many of our employees are a part of Zoho today because of Zoho Schools. Seeing my own students as my colleagues and, even more, a good number of them in managerial roles makes me proud of my work here. With pride and humility, I would say that almost 15% of Zoho's workforce is from Zoho Schools.
Getting Personal
Any memorable moments of your journey captured?
I have had several interesting moments in my professional career. Although I began as a lecturer in the college where I studied, I later got a Gazetted Officer post in the Planning Commission, Central Government of India, by clearing the UPSC exam of Indian Statistical Services.
I then quit and later joined SRM Engineering College. In December 2005, I received a mail from Zoho, which was then AdventNet, for a faculty opening at AdventNet University. Joining Zoho has definitely been the biggest turning point in my life. Not only have I met the most inspiring and humble people at Zoho, but I have also had several learnings throughout my career here.
Recruitment at Pollachi Nachimuthu Group of Institutions.
During one of the mega tests at Zoho in December 2019.
With the representative from NASSCOM in 2011 with Sridhar Vembu.
New academic year commencement at Zoho Schools in May 2019.
Pongal celebrations at Zoho. With our CEO, his sister and Zoho Mail's head, Radha Vembu, and my colleagues.
Zoho Schools, MAD 2019, which is an annual brainstorming event before the new academic year's commencement.
This was the group of 36 candidates who cleared the Indian Statistical Services exam in 1998. This photograph was taken on the induction date along with our senior officers at the Planning Commission office in New Delhi.
What are some of your favorite activities outside of work?
Walking along with my spouse every evening is something that I look forward to. I used to take my sons to various academic classes, and the conversations with them made me understand the teenage mind even better. It enables me to have a better understanding of my students as they are of the same age.
I do yoga to keep myself fit. I am also religious and have started learning Sanskrit slokas—thanks to the plethora of online courses that are available.
I love to visit my old relatives and hang out with my college friends whenever time permits.
Reunion with my school mates.
At the wedding of my very close friend's daughter.
During one of the Zoho Schools outstation recruitment near Chidambaram backwaters.
What are the top three books/podcasts/YouTube channels that you recommend?
I am a big fan of Robin Sharma. I read his blogs/books often. The two recent books I have been reading are Factfullness by Hans Josling and The Corporate Monk by Anju Sharma.
I often listen to a couple of health podcasts by doctors who talk about physical health and mental fitness. Dr. Jason Fung, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, and Dr. Pradip Jamnadas are a few.
I also have my daily dose of music from the famous musician Sanjay Subramanyam, whom I greatly admire. I also watch my team head, Rajendran Dandapani's personal YouTube channel named Quotidian.
Words of Wisdom
Be humble. Deserve and then desire.
Ensure to give your best in whatever you take up.
Manage your time well.
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