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From burgers to breakthroughs: Maheshwari is living her Cognizant dream

a collage of a person and a person holding ice cream cones

Before becoming a Senior Process Executive at Cognizant, Maheshwari Mohan worked the counter at McDonald's to fund her education.  

Cognizant was always her dream employer. She applied twice in college but wasn’t selected, so she kept building experience elsewhere while preparing for the role she really wanted. In 2026, her dream came true.

We sat down with Maheshwari to trace her journey from humble beginnings in Chennai to building a career at Cognizant.

Where did your journey begin?

With My Family
With my family

I come from a modest family. My father is a daily wage worker and my mother works as a domestic helper. Growing up, I saw them work tirelessly–often without holidays or days off–so that their children could have a better future. That stayed with me.

My school supported me through scholarships, but when I turned 18, I knew I had to fund my college degree. That’s when I decided to start working at McDonald’s.

How was it like working at a quick-service restaurant?

a person wearing a mask and gloves at a restaurant
Working as a crew member at McDonald’s

Working at McDonald’s taught me many life skills. I learned patience while dealing with different kinds of people. I learned empathy while working with co-workers from varied backgrounds. And I learned to stay calm under pressure, especially during rush hours.

Looking back, I feel my experience at McDonald’s prepared me for everything that came after.

Why is Cognizant your dream company?

a person in a graduation gown holding a diploma
On my graduation day

Growing up, I’d see people in my neighborhood working at large IT firms. Cognizant was one that kept coming up. I saw it providing them with growth, confidence and stability, and that’s when I told myself: I want to work here one day.

Later, during college, I experienced firsthand how clear and thoughtful their recruiting process was. A classmate of mine also joined Cognizant, and watching that up close only deepened my trust in the company.

Tell us more about your journey to Cognizant.

In 2022, Cognizant came to my campus. Unfortunately, I couldn't clear the process. I cried the whole night, feeling like my dream was over.

One year later, I worked up the courage to register for another hiring drive. I made it to the final round but didn’t get in again. I started questioning myself, thinking I wasn’t good enough for Cognizant. But I kept going. I joined other organizations, grew professionally and learned new skills.

Then in April 2026, a recruiter reached out with an opportunity. This time, I cleared every round and joined Cognizant in June. It took me four years and many setbacks to reach this point—but I wouldn’t change any of it. Everything I bring to Cognizant, I learned in the waiting.

“Every job that I worked, every rejection I faced, was building something I couldn't see at the time.”

Maheshwari Mohan

Is Cognizant living up to your expectations?

With My Teammates At Cognizant
With my teammates at Cognizant

It's exceeding them! What stands out about my experience at Cognizant is the way I’m treated with respect and given the support to grow.

The work culture is empowering, my team is welcoming and I’m learning something new every day. It's challenging, yes, but the good kind. I also want to keep building new skills—I'm curious about new technologies and want to keep pushing myself. Joining Cognizant isn't the end of the dream for me; it's the beginning of a new one. 

What would you say to others chasing their dreams? 

Trust the process. There were days I questioned everything—my abilities, my path, whether I was good enough. But know that you’re not behind, you’re simply preparing for what’s to come.

So, wherever you are right now, keep building. Respect the work you're doing today, even if it feels far from where you want to be. Every job teaches you something. Every step counts. And when you finally get there, celebrate it—you earned it. 

Find your place at Cognizant
Wherever your career journey has taken you, the experiences you've gained along the way matter. Come grow your career with a company that values your unique experiences and perspectives, and explore our latest job opportunities.

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