Cognizant is where my future takes shape: Usharani Sahoo

In the small village of Gania, nestled in Odisha’s Nayagarh, a young girl would watch people in crisp suits on television – people who worked in multinational corporations. She was captivated, not just by towering glass buildings, but by the sense of pride in their stride. It was then that Usharani Sahoo nurtured an ambition to one day work alongside those people and carve out her own place in the corporate world.

Today, she’s living her dream and has found her abode in Cognizant.

Stepping into the corporate world

I joined Cognizant in 2022 as a fresher. I was pursuing a Bachelor of Science at the Ravenshaw University when I was selected as a campus hire at Cognizant. I joined the Kolkata office, which marked the beginning of a life I had envisioned for myself. The people, the environment, the work – it all felt unfamiliar at the beginning, but soon enough, I started feeling that I belonged here. When Cognizant opened their Bhubaneswar office, I relocated there, unfolding a new chapter in my journey.

Evolving as a front-end developer

I started as a support member, then I worked as a manual tester, and over time, I’ve grown into a front-end developer. My work involves creating intuitive and responsive user interfaces using the latest technologies. I collaborate with multiple stakeholders to ensure that whatever we create feels right for the people using it. This is the best part about my role: I can see the results in real-time, learn and improve.

Raising the bar, every day

When I first heard about Cognizant, I was drawn by its global presence, a culture of continuous learning and the emphasis on solving real-world problems. After joining, I realized that this culture is deeply rooted in the company’s values.

The value that shaped my journey is “Raise the bar”. Coming from a small village with a different academic track, I have constantly pushed myself to be better. It’s this pursuit of being better than yesterday that drives me forward every day.

When my voice found a stage

Music has always been my first love.  Representing our Bhubaneswar office in the finale of “Celebrating Cognizant” – Cognizant India’s annual sports and cultural festival – last year was a deeply emotional experience. From the first rehearsal to the final stage performance in front of colleagues from all around the country, I felt a different confidence take root. It reminded me that we’re not just IT professionals, we are people, and our passions are welcome too.

The people behind my progress

My journey would not have been possible without my father. He has always been a guiding force. His discipline, humility and resilience taught me that hard work speaks louder than the background. In my professional journey, I’ve been fortunate to have a great manager who trusted me with more responsibility and guided me in my path to becoming a front-end developer. I often say that I wouldn’t be here without him.

Simple joys that uplift my spirit

Beyond work, I find happiness in simple activities like gardening, painting, DIY crafts, stitching and keeping things orderly. I spend my weekends exploring different parts of the city. I also enjoy indoor games at the office with my colleagues – table tennis, carrom or foosball. These little things make a big difference. They help me in having a positive frame of mind and showing up fully energized at work.

Looking ahead with purpose

When I look back, I’m happy with how far I’ve come – from Gania to Bhubaneswar, from fresher to front-end developer and from outsider to contributor. But what excites me more is what lies ahead. I want to strengthen my expertise, take on new challenges and eventually move into leadership someday. And as I continue, I carry with me a gratitude for the past and a strong sense of purpose for what’s next.

Because I know now – I belong here and I’m just getting started!