Monday October 27, 2025

Mentorship in motion: The journey of Vivekanandhan

It was 2012 in Chennai when I stood in line at a job fair, waiting for my turn to speak with a Cognizant recruiter. There I saw a standee that said, passion to make a difference. The message resonated with me, and I kept on whispering it to myself—like a promise.

I took with me a color-print of my resume and when the recruiter looked at it, she smiled and said, “color printouts are rare.” I instantly told her the same phrase I’d been telling myself: “passion to make a difference.”

After several interviews, that same recruiter was on the panel of my final interview. She remarked, “I was waiting for you. I knew you’d clear all the rounds.”

In that moment, I knew I’d be stepping into a life I had dreamt of.

Learning, leading and lifting others

I joined as a programmer analyst trainee in Chennai. I was the batch representative for our new hire cohort, and this experience allowed me to develop connections with senior leaders and learn from them.

As I’ve grown my career and moved across the world, the mentorship I received from my early days has stayed with me. I, too, wanted to help new graduates find their footing.

Five years later, I was mentoring more than 1,000 young professionals and won the Fabulous Trainer Award three years in a row. But the real reward was watching others grow, knowing I had a small part in that.

Mentorship as my mission

a group of people posing for a photo — At the Korean-American Association of Chicago

Outside of Cognizant, I found new ways to grow and give back. I’ve spoken at multiple events like AWS Community Day and have judged national hackathons at prestigious institutions. I’ve also mentored students through the Korean American Association and built communities around AI and cloud. Each platform, each classroom, each conversation reminded me that knowledge means little if it isn’t shared.

The reason I give back

a person and person standing next to a sign — Volunteering for Chicago Scholars

Joining the Chicago Scholars’ Onsite College and Leadership Forum, an event bringing together universities and passionate students, was a transformational experience for me.

At the event, more than 600 of my mentees were interviewed by 120 colleges, many of whom received on-the-spot acceptance. I watched their faces light up with happiness and in those moments, I saw reflections of my own journey.

a person holding a trophy — Winning the New Volunteer of the Year Award

I’ll never forget that time when one of my mentees, who came from a background where college felt out of reach, got accepted. I mentored him for months, guiding him through the process and standing by him when he needed belief more than advice. That day, he walked up to me and gave me a tight and emotional hug. It reminded me why I started mentoring in the first place.

A few months later, I received a letter from the Mayor of Chicago recognizing me as the New Volunteer of the Year. I read it slowly, twice, then once more. The recognition showed me that when we give back with purpose, its impact travels far beyond what we can see. That letter now sits on my desk as a quiet affirmation of my efforts and my journey.

“Mentorship isn’t about teaching but standing beside someone until they believe they can walk alone.”

Circling back to Cognizant

Every time I return to Cognizant from my mentorship sessions, I carry more than just knowledge. I carry stories, experiences and a renewed sense of purpose. Cognizant didn’t just give me a job, it gave me the freedom to grow and to help others grow, too. As I continue this journey, I hope to pass on our values and build a legacy rooted in lifting others up.