From Apprentices to Full-Time Employees: Looking to the Future in Indi

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Thursday, November 20, 2025

From Apprentices to Full-Time Employees: Looking to the Future in India

Ever wonder what it's like to start your career at Palo Alto Networks in India? Meet five full-time employees who began their Palo Alto Networks journeys as apprentices. Find out what's next for them as they reflect on mentorship, culture, and the Palo Alto Networks values that shaped their experiences.

Aishwarya (Revenue Analyst, Revenue Team)

"When I started as an apprentice, the journey felt a little overwhelming. I was new and had many questions while adapting to the processes and tools. With continuous learning and guidance from Vikram, Praveen & Rajesh, I was able to take on more responsibilities independently. And also My experience at Palo Alto Networks challenged my initial expectation of handling only basic tasks, as I was trusted with impactful responsibilities, cross-team collaborations, and real-time problem-solving. This not only built my confidence but also shaped me into a more detail-oriented and results-driven professional.

The core value that shaped my journey the most was collaboration. Working with different teams, including IT and HQ, taught me the importance of teamwork and communication. Moving forward, I aim to contribute to the company's mission by identifying opportunities to automate tasks and streamline processes. My goal is to continue growing, take on greater responsibilities, and ensure our work becomes more impactful and innovative."

Nikita (Associate FP&A Analyst, FP&A)

"When I joined as an intern, my goal was to gain hands-on experience in FP&A. I started with the Corporate FP&A team, building a strong foundation in financial planning tools. Three months in, I joined the Cloud Finance team, which was a turning point in my journey. Taking full ownership of the monthly close process, a high-responsibility task, I gained insights into the complexity of cloud financials and the importance of precision. This experience sharpened my attention to detail and analytical thinking, exceeding my initial expectations and making my journey from apprentice to full-time employee both transformative and rewarding.

Throughout my internship, I was fortunate to learn from mentors like Raja RV, Sushanta Deb, and Shubhra Behl, whose support made my transition to Cloud Finance smooth and impactful. Sushanta taught me to solve problems independently, Raja showed me how to connect different aspects of reporting, and Shubhra helped me understand the core processes of Cloud Finance. The most impactful value throughout my journey was collaboration. Working with the Cloud Finance team at HQ and other cross-functional teams taught me that success is a collective effort. Now, as a full-time employee, my goal is to deepen my expertise in FP&A while growing into a role where I can lead projects and continue learning from the people around me."

Nitik (Associate Systems Engineer)

"In September 2023, I started as a System Engineering Apprentice with the SE India West team. This role has been invaluable, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application in a supportive environment. My initial expectations of a fast-paced, professional experience were exceeded, as the role instilled a strong sense of accountability, curiosity, and problem-solving. This was largely inspired by my first manager, Tarique Ansari, whose attention to detail in solution design taught me a lot about problem-solving.

During my time, I shadowed several System Engineers, learning about sales cycle best practices and how to make the most of opportunities. In my second year, I joined the DC team, which provided hands-on experience and allowed me to apply my knowledge in customer activities. This journey has been defined by collaboration and execution, which has helped me build a reputation that has earned the trust of my account team. As I move forward, my goal is to join a technical SE team and contribute to the business by implementing innovative ideas to streamline processes and enhance sales strategies."

Shamikha (Associate Systems Engineer)

"After landing an Apprenticeship at Palo Alto Networks, I was welcomed and indulged in a plethora of opportunities. From being a fresher to evolving into a full-time engineer, one thing remained constant, Our Team, who helped me transition from a regular college student to a person who I am today. From helping me learn and unlearn, helping me succeed. My kudos to them!

During my time at Palo Alto Networks, I have felt enveloped in a culture of inclusivity and support. Each experience has been a stepping stone for my learning and personal growth, with every milestone, no matter how small, met with genuine recognition and encouragement. The atmosphere of collaboration and collective achievement in my team has fostered a sense of warmth and empowerment, making every day I spend here a rewarding journey of shared success. Building something/someone requires backing from a team, from my manager to my colleagues , all were like family, helping me cross every hurdle, help me understand what I couldn’t, and finally I am where I am today because of that. I will always be thankful for that.

I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, which has been pivotal to my intellectual and professional development. Moving forward, I’m excited to contribute to our mission by embracing the value of execution to drive customer success, and I hope to pay it forward by mentoring the next generation of apprentices who join our team.All together, this opportunity helped me grow intellectually and professionally.I couldn't be more grateful and thankful for the best environment that was provided to me."

Ujjwal (SRE, Prisma Access Team)

"When I joined Palo Alto Networks in July 2023 as an Apprentice Engineer, I was new to the corporate IT world. My initial expectations were to gain exposure and build skills, but my journey provided much more—I developed strong technical expertise and learned about corporate etiquette and teamwork. After 1.5 years of continuous growth, I converted to a full-time Software Engineer, a milestone I'm grateful for. This achievement was possible thanks to the constant encouragement from my managers, Sudarsan Kannan, and Mohammed Muzammil Rehman.

My mentor, Yogesh Kumar, was a key guiding force. His visionary approach and constant guidance helped me adapt quickly and build confidence. His knowledge and perspective not only sharpened my technical skills but also inspired me to approach challenges with a growth mindset. The core value that has shaped my journey the most is collaboration. The culture of knowledge-sharing and teamwork helped me learn faster and take ownership of my work. Now, as a full-time Software Engineer, I plan to continue embracing collaboration and contribute by mentoring new teammates, giving back to the culture that shaped my growth."

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