One week with Ramona, Graduate Consultant at Cognizant

For me, Mondays are all about planning and focus.  
 
I spent the day working on my client project, where we’re automating a manual process for a large organization in the UK. I worked with the senior consultant in my team to define the structure and logic behind the automation and then met with our tech lead to shape the solution and turn our ideas into a tangible product.

Tuesdays are usually office days, and they’re always energising! I spent the morning working on the automation solution for my client and then helped prepare an AI chatbot proposal for a major consumer goods company alongside leaders and fellow graduates. 

After lunch with my peers, I joined a volunteering walkathon across London to raise funds for The King’s Trust. And because Tuesdays are for socializing, I ended the day connecting with the wider London consulting team over drinks.

Wednesday was busy, but rewarding. I started the day refining the automation demo with the team and preparing for the client presentation. I then caught up with my Cognizant buddy over a coffee, who’s been helping me settle in. 
 
Lunch was the highlight of my day. A senior leader visiting from the US invited all of us consulting graduates at a nearby restaurant, which was a great opportunity to connect in a relaxed manner and learn from his experiences. I then wrapped up the day planning some fun social events with my peers to help keep our graduate community connected.

Thursdays are easily the liveliest days in the office. Most of my London-based colleagues choose to come in, making it the perfect day for spontaneous chats and meeting new people!  

I started the morning with our client presentation, where we delivered a demo of the automation solution and received valuable feedback to help scale it even further. Our solution will save them a significant amount of time. Moments like these remind me why I love consulting: you get to make a real, tangible impact on both businesses and the people they serve. 

Before heading back to work in the afternoon, I joined a Lunch and Learn session, where leaders from across the business come in and talk about the industries we can explore as consultants. It’s a great way to learn about potential career paths in a casual, open setting.

I usually work from home on Fridays, but when I do come in the office, I never regret it. I met with the senior consultant and tech lead to implement the client feedback from yesterday’s session and ensure everything was on track. I then headed to Spitalfields Market for lunch. On the way back to my desk, I stumbled across the Football Association Cups—a fun moment you only get from being in the office! 

In the afternoon, I joined our weekly debrief, where us consulting graduates and leaders share updates, reflect on our week and have an open conversation. It’s one of the things that makes the COIN program feel so supportive. I finished the week back at my desk, diving into an Excel course on Cognizant’s learning platform. I’ve been wanting to sharpen my Excel skills, and it’s great knowing I have the tools and support to make it happen.