**Nepotism in the Tech Industry? Microsoft Employee’s Viral Video Sparks Debate**
*By Akash Pandey | Sep 18, 2025, 06:23 PM*
**What’s the Story?**
Ume Habiba, a software engineer at Microsoft, has brought attention to the pervasive issue of nepotism in Silicon Valley. In a viral Instagram video, she claimed that many individuals secure positions at top tech companies not based on merit but due to family connections.
“Corporate nepotism is a thing, especially in Silicon Valley,” Habiba stated. She elaborated that some candidates are hired despite lacking the necessary technical skills because “their parents got them there.”
**Industry Critique: Habiba’s Claims on Nepotism**
While nepotism is often linked to the entertainment industry, Habiba emphasized that it is equally prevalent in big tech. According to her, many managing directors in Silicon Valley engage in favors to secure jobs or internships for their children. She highlighted a common phrase circulating among executives: “I’ll hire your kid if you hire mine.”
**Hiring Loopholes and Their Impact**
Habiba further alleged that children from the Bay Area can obtain jobs at leading tech firms without undergoing the rigorous traditional hiring process. Even when interviews take place, she claimed they tend to be brief and lack sufficient technical depth.
Ending her video on a pragmatic note, Habiba advised viewers to focus on navigating the system as it stands, saying there’s “no point crying about it” and encouraging people to “play the cards they have been dealt.”
**Public Response: Mixed Reactions**
The video sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms. Some users resonated with Habiba’s perspective, while others minimized the issue.
One user commented, “They say that the zip code you grow up in dictates your life. Makes sense.”
Another remarked, “Executives make up 1-2% of any company. Their kids may occupy a single spot on a team of 100+. I’m not stressed about one nepo kid.”
**Ongoing Discourse: The Debate Continues**
The conversation around nepotism in tech remains active. While some defend the existing merit-based hiring practices, others point out clear evidence of unqualified individuals benefiting from connections.
“I know for a fact I worked with many who were not skilled enough to hold positions. Yet they had opportunities,” one user shared.
Another added, “It will happen everywhere, even you would do that. So just accept it.”
As the debate unfolds, the issue of nepotism in the technology sector continues to challenge perceptions of fairness and meritocracy within Silicon Valley and beyond.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/microsoft-engineer-slams-silicon-valley-nepotism/story