Making bold career moves with confidence: Elena’s Cognizant journey

Joining Cognizant seven years ago, for sure. I was in a job where I felt valued, and it wasn’t easy to trade job security for new possibilities. It was a personal call too as my son was only two, and I feared missing out on precious moments. But my husband stepped in and we worked as a team to ensure the family remained a priority. It was a new learning for me, and I realized that growth comes with sacrifice but also with trust in yourself, in your support system and the journey ahead. 

I never chased titles or had ambitions to climb the corporate ladder. What drives me is the joy I get from my work. Every bold step that I took came from curiosity and preparation. Opportunities came my way when I wasn’t actively seeking them and I said yes because I was willing to learn, adapt and give my best. This mindset allowed me to move forward with a purpose. 

When the opportunity to join Cognizant came up, it felt like the right moment and the right place. The culture and range of opportunities matched my desire to keep learning and expand my impact. 

Cognizant has a people-first culture and I felt it the day I joined. My managers and mentors have always been there to guide me, challenge me and give me the space and confidence to grow. My colleagues in Spain and around the world made every challenge possible. When you have the right people around you, work becomes fun.

Are career moves harder for women?

I grew up in an environment where equality was the norm, so I never questioned whether differences existed. I knew my future relied on my own choices. Still, not everyone gets the same environment, and the numbers speak for themselves. But we’re making progress and the world is becoming more inclusive. The moment this question no longer needs to be asked will mark how far we’ve come—and how close we are to equality.