From Sales Floor to Media Success: Kerala Graduate Ibin Nayakam Transforms His Life in the UAE

Dubai: Ibin Nayakam, a 25-year-old from Thiruvananthapuram, arrived in the UAE with aspirations of becoming a video editor. However, his journey has evolved into a profound lesson in resilience, humility, and the significance of seizing opportunities.

Nayakam, the first graduate in his family, comes from humble beginnings, with a fisherman father and a homemaker mother. After obtaining a degree in mass communications in Kerala, he sought opportunities abroad. A potential study opportunity in Germany fell through due to financial constraints, as he could not afford the necessary expenses amounting to INR 10 lakhs.

Following this setback, he completed a master’s degree at Jammu University and worked as a media coordinator with Alliance Française. However, after a year, he faced a financial crisis when his family took a loan for his sister’s wedding. Feeling the pressure to support his family, Nayakam recognized that he could not advance his career in Kerala.

“I thought moving abroad would be a good idea,” Nayakam stated, reflecting on his decision to seek a better future.

Choosing Dubai

Nayakam had heard of many individuals from his home state who had successfully built lives in the UAE, which provided him with a sense of comfort. However, upon arrival, he found the environment to be entirely new.

After two months of searching for a job, with his funds dwindling, Nayakam accepted any employment opportunity available. He secured a position at a photo studio in Jebel Ali, where he took pictures of workers for visa applications. His background in editing software proved beneficial, allowing him to temporarily fill in for a staff member on leave.

Desperate for a job that would provide residency, Nayakam began attending walk-in interviews. He ultimately accepted a sales position at Nesto hypermarket, earning AED 1,300. His primary goal was securing a visa, so he did not disclose his educational background or previous work experience.

“I couldn’t go back – I didn’t have the money and it had been four months in the UAE,” he explained. “If I went back home empty-handed, my parents would be broke.”

Nayakam worked diligently on the sales floor, managing customer inquiries and handling merchandise. Despite the stigma attached to such roles, he embraced the opportunity to learn.

“Many people who studied like me ignored jobs like this because they thought it would lower their status,” he noted. “But I thought, let’s see what is going to happen.”

Adapting and Upskilling

Over the next several months, Nayakam focused on improving his sales skills. The support from his colleagues eased his transition. Despite language barriers, he persevered, even watching Hindi web series during breaks to enhance his communication skills.

However, he felt his media skills diminishing. “I worked there for over a year and a half, and month by month, I could feel that I was losing my skills in editing and communication,” he remarked.

Recognizing the need to upskill, Nayakam utilized his free time to watch tutorials on video editing techniques and graphic design. He realized that he needed to refocus on his primary passion—video editing.

“I had been editing videos since I was 15,” he said. “I realized that I had the skill to take raw videos and turn them into a story.”

Support from Colleagues

A shift from sales to back-office inventory assistance provided Nayakam with more time to refine his skills. He credits the supportive environment created by his colleagues, particularly a manager who shared a passion for cricket.

“I felt like he would understand my feelings, so I showed a video I had edited on my laptop to him,” Nayakam explained. His manager recognized his potential and granted him a 10-day break to focus solely on video editing.

“Those 10 days were really precious to me,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of that time for skill enhancement.

Once Nayakam polished his work, he gained the confidence to approach the HR department for opportunities in his field. One of his initial projects was a video about the company’s founder, K. P. Basheer, who also hails from Kerala. This project showcased his skills and led to a meeting with HR.

“I was very nervous, but they made me feel comfortable,” he recalled. “That was the moment I felt my life was finally about to change.”

This month, Nayakam transitioned into a new role as a media coordinator in the HR department. His initial task involves highlighting the stories of hardworking employees.

“I am happy that I am representing employees from the floor level,” he said. “My part would be to make employees visible and enhance their stories technically.”

Nayakam acknowledges the pivotal role played by his managers in his journey back to video editing. He specifically mentioned Ranil Ramachandran, Fajis Moossa, and Junaid, who provided support and encouragement throughout his career transition.

Hameed P. P., the HR head of Nesto Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering growth. He stated, “Nayakam’s journey is a wonderful example of what can happen when determination, talent, and opportunity come together.”

Finding Inspiration in Every Aisle

As a natural introvert, Nayakam credits his colleagues for inspiring him to become more expressive. He believes that Dubai offers an environment where aspirations can flourish.

“I would never get the same environment anywhere else in the world,” he noted. “At one point, I wanted to move to Europe, but now that I am in the UAE, I don’t think I want to go anywhere else.”

Nayakam appreciates the opportunities available in the UAE for those willing to work hard. He often engages with colleagues and customers to learn about their success stories, reinforcing his belief in the possibilities that exist.

“Everyone I spoke with had a similar story – of coming to the UAE with very little and finding success,” he remarked. “You don’t really need to go to Instagram to watch an inspirational video if you are in the UAE.”

Nayakam remains committed to utilizing the opportunities provided by the UAE while focusing on his personal and professional growth. He expresses gratitude for those who have supported him along the way, wishing them success in their endeavors.

Source: www.emirates247.com

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Published on 2026-06-20 08:33:00 • By the Editorial Desk