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From novice to rising star: Paulo’s remarkable ascent

Paulo Miguel Epili Main

A career transition takes courage. In walking away from a familiar environment to Cognizant, Sr. Process Executive Paulo Miguel Epili didn’t just make a shift, he set out on a journey to rediscover himself. And somewhere between doubt, learning and quiet determination, he became Cognizant’s first Rising Star award winner, recognized for his remarkable impact on our company. 

Paulo shares his journey from being an educator to a tech expert solving complex queries for a leading video streaming platform.

From classroom to Cognizant

My former teammates when I joined Cognizant
My former teammates when I joined Cognizant

I joined Cognizant in 2023 after a four-year stint as an educator. I have three siblings, of which two are teachers, so getting into the education field was natural. I started as a ninth-grade social studies and economics teacher. But chasing students playing with fire extinguishers wasn’t something I was ready for.

Later, I moved to the registrar’s office to do administrative work, but it wore me out. I was working overtime with no time for myself. My mother saw it before I did.

That’s when a cousin of mine told me about an opportunity at Cognizant. At first, I was hesitant to apply, but my heart was ready for a change. And two years later, I feel I made the right decision. 

Today, I collaborate with amazing colleagues to solve queries for a global video streaming platform. My work involves supporting users in multiple geographies, translating queries in their native languages and handling any urgent matters to maintain business continuity. Every day, I learn something new—and I find time for myself beyond work, keeping me motivated.

When the spotlight feels heavy

I wasn’t expecting to win the Rising Star Award as I was nominated alongside many talented colleagues who were equally deserving. At first, I tried to hide it from my mother, but when I returned late that night, I had to tell her, and she was over the moon. 

My colleagues also congratulated me and though I was grateful for the recognition, there was a strange pressure that followed. People often think praise lifts you, but sometimes it pins you down. After winning the award, I felt like I couldn’t afford a bad day, like I had to earn the title all over again, every morning. I was burning out and felt trapped in my expectations.  

That’s when I reset.

I introspected, began connecting with more like-minded people, started taking small breaks and celebrated the little wins. Gradually, I found my balance again.

The people who lift me up

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in the past few months, it’s that you cannot do everything alone and that people are ready to support you if you ask. 

With my family
With my family

From the beginning, my mother believed in me more than I did. She saw that I wasn’t in a good place, and she nudged me towards Cognizant. Even today, her words stay with me: “you have to work for everything Paulo, nothing falls from the sky.”

Spending time with my colleagues
Spending time with my colleagues

At work too, I found my circle—colleagues who don’t let me sit in silence and who include, and leaders who guide me and show up when it matters.

 

“The best part about working at Cognizant is that here nobody says, 'that’s not my job.' People just help. That’s the kind of culture that makes you want to stay.”

There was a time I thought the corporate world was not for me. But things changed when I started showing up and working on myself. 

You don’t become a rising star the moment you win the award. You become one in the moments of reflection, in the quiet choices, in the courage to start over, in the kindness you show to people around you and in the faith that you show in yourself. 

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