Beyond Degrees: Waseem Shareef on Work, Learning, and Self-Belief
Tracking Indian Youth: Waseem Shareef
The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the lives of young workers across India.
Waseem Shareef’s journey reflects the quiet resilience of many young professionals navigating uncertain career paths in contemporary India. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he found himself stepping away from a conventional trajectory to pursue stability, dignity, and self-growth through an unexpected line of work. From engineering floors to bookstalls in Bangalore, his story is one of adaptability, learning, and hope. In this candid conversation, Waseem speaks about work, ambition, and the personal motivations that keep him moving forward.
“Just because I started from a lower level doesn’t mean I can’t move upwards — that belief is what keeps me going.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Vaishnavi Bhat.
Q. Hi, can you tell me a bit about yourself?
A. I’m Waseem Shareef, 26 years old, originally from Vijayawada, where I grew up and completed my studies. I am the only child of my parents — my father works in the Forest Department and my mother is a homemaker. I completed my Mechanical Engineering in 2016 and, a few months after graduation, relocated to Bangalore to join Dreamworld India as part of the marketing and sales staff.
Q. Can you tell me a little about your childhood and how your journey led you to working as a bookseller/salesperson?
A. I had a fairly normal childhood growing up in Vijayawada. After completing my Mechanical Engineering, I initially joined a company in my field, but I could only continue for about two to three months. The night shifts, lack of sleep, industrial pollution, and very low pay began to affect my health, so I decided to quit.
While I was at home, a neighbour told me about a bookkeeping and sales role with a company in Bangalore. Since it was peak lockdown and there weren’t many openings in mechanical jobs, I decided to take the chance. Bangalore felt like the right place to begin this new journey.
Q. How did it feel to finish your engineering degree and then end up working in a completely different sector?
A. Honestly, it was frustrating at first. There was a lot of apprehension because this wasn’t what I had imagined while studying engineering. But I also knew I couldn’t keep depending on my parents forever. So I stepped out of my comfort zone and took the opportunity that came my way. Just because I started from a lower level doesn’t mean I can’t move upwards — that belief is what keeps me going.
Q. What were your initial days like after starting out as a bookseller?
A. I began by working at a shop in Yeshwanthpur in 2020. At the time, we mainly sold books for preschoolers — drawing, colouring, and sketching books — which sold quite well. Gradually, we shifted towards novels, and I started moving around areas near colleges and educational institutions to reach more customers.
Over time, I actually grew to like the job. I get to meet new people, travel across the city, and it has really helped improve my communication and people skills. It also taught me that every small experience adds up and prepares you for bigger things ahead.
Q. What are some things you like about your job?
A. The flexibility is a big plus. There’s no rigid timing, which I really appreciate. It has also helped me improve my communication skills a lot. I used to be shy and quiet, but now I actually look forward to interacting with customers. And since I enjoy reading, I sometimes pick up a book and read during free time (laughs).
In terms of income, I earn around ₹25,000–30,000 a month, and most of it goes straight into my savings.
Q. How does your current job align with your future goals?
A. Over time, I’ve realised that I prefer being self-employed. Having the freedom to work independently and be my own boss really appeals to me. This job has given me some business exposure and confidence, so eventually I want to start something of my own.
I’m leaning towards the food sector because it’s a basic necessity, and in a city like Bangalore, it’s always booming. It will take time to learn and build, but I believe that with consistent hard work, I can make it grow.
Q. What are some lessons life has taught you so far?
A. One major lesson is that people can be two-faced — just because you do good doesn’t mean you’ll always receive it back. I’ve experienced this with some relatives and friends I once trusted. Professionally as well, I’ve learned that you have to stand up for yourself.
We’ve faced a lot of trouble from the police and government authorities while setting up street stalls, and unless you’re assertive, they won’t let you work in peace. Another important lesson is that practical knowledge matters far more than marks. When I applied for jobs after engineering, most companies didn’t want freshers, and even when they did, they expected strong internships. That’s when I realised how important it is to invest in skills and experience, not just academics.
Q. Who are the people that keep you going even when things get tough?
A. My mother, without a doubt. She has never made me feel inferior or worthless — even when many others did. Everything I’m doing today is for her. There are days when I feel lost and question where my life is headed, but then I remind myself that she deserves a much better life. One day, I want to make her proud — that’s what truly keeps me going.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from young workers across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.