Pros
- competitive pay and good benefits for fresh college grad - work hours are good and relatively stress free (9-5) although this will depend on your client location. Expect to participate in conference calls with the offshore team while projects are in session (often night time 9-11pm).
Cons
As a fresh college grad, I was very excited to work for Cognizant. Everything I had heard about the company was good, if not great and very encouraging. The company had been recognized as a great "up and coming company," the potential was huge, and growing earnings and revenues all seemed to back this up. About three months into my first client location project and I can honestly say that Cognizant has fell largely short of my expectations. The management and organization within the company is nothing short of terrible. Campus hires are required to participate in a three week training period that is supposed to help "prepare" us for our first client project. Simply put, the training period does not do this. I was thrown onto my client site with no knowledge of what to expect or any background of what I was getting into. Once I was on site, things did not get any better. Members of your team have no idea that you have not been equipped with the knowledge to do any of the things you are asked to do and even worse, you are supposed to act like you do know what your doing in front of the client. There is no "hey welcome on board, let me introduce you to our processes and teach/train you on how we do things". You are on your own. Initially I spent days upon days just sitting at my desk with nothing to do or any direction as to what my next project or work would be. To make things worse, management does not seem to care either. Other cognizant workers are always too busy juggling the 50 projects that they are assigned to and don't seem to make an effort to help you assimilate to the client project/environment. Basically, you are the least of their worries. Simply put, Cognizant has just not lived up to my expectations and the glowing reviews that I had heard prior to joining the company. I understand the company has just recently started campus hires and it will take some time for the program to be what it should be, but major changes need to be made. It just does not make sense to me how a company with such great growth, reviews and potential could be so disorganized, mismanaged and distraught from the inside out. other side notes: - there is no work culture you are at the client site. if you are expecting a young environment or culture look elsewhere. there are very little company outings or bonding type events. -company is relatively new to the US. Not "Americanized". Co workers are majority Indian.