My Internship Experience at Cognizant Technology Solutions

Cognizant is a multinational technology company that provides information technology (IT) services and consulting. Established in 1994, Cognizant is headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States. It operates globally and has a significant presence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.

Cognizant offers a wide range of services across various industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology. Its services encompass digital strategy, consulting, technology development, enterprise application solutions, infrastructure services, business process outsourcing (BPO), and more. I got an opportunity to be a part of this organization through the Digital Nurture program. You can click here to read more about this process in my other blog.

Day 1

I received an email from the HR team at Cognizant informing me about my onboarding date and the location where I would be joining, just seven days before my actual start date. On January 24, 2023, I officially joined Cognizant at Candor Tech Space in Newtown, Kolkata. I arrived at 8 o'clock in the morning and initially waited at the cafeteria. Shortly after, the HR team contacted us and warmly greeted all the new joiners. The interns were onboarded in batches, and luckily, we were part of the first batch for the year 2023. Since we were the first batch, we didn't have much prior information about the proceedings. The day began with document verification as the initial process. Afterward, we had a lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30. Following the break, there was a session where we were briefed about the company's policies, ethics, and expectations from us. The session provided insights into how the company operates. Finally, at 5:30 in the evening, we wrapped up our first day of onboarding.

Day 2 - Day 6

The duration of five days was dedicated to what was known as the Behavioral Bootcamp, where trainers specializing in behavioral skills conducted sessions covering various aspects of corporate etiquette and self-discovery as professionals. These sessions proved to be engaging and served as the initial stepping stones toward becoming a corporate-ready individual. On the sixth day, we were introduced to our designated workplace, visited our assigned desks, and received our laptops. Typically, interns are not allowed to take their laptops home. From the following day onward, we commenced our actual training.

Service Line and Domain

Before delving into the details of the training process and internship experience, it is important to note that the domain allocation at Cognizant is not based on personal preference. Instead, domains are assigned based on the individual's performance and interview records. In my case, I was assigned to the Java Full Stack Engineering (FSE) domain within the Application Development and Maintenance (ADM) service line.

During my internship, I was assigned a Gen C HR Coach who served as my primary point of contact throughout the program. This HR Coach provided guidance, support, and acted as a resource for any questions or concerns I had during my internship journey.

Now, let's move forward and discuss the training process and the overall internship experience in more detail.

Timeline

The Java FSE training program is divided into four stages, with a total duration of 16 weeks. Here is the breakdown of the weeks allocated to each stage:

Stage 1 - 5 weeks
Stage 2 - 4 weeks
Stage 3 - 3 weeks
Stage 4 - 4 weeks

During the training, interns will progress through these stages, with each stage focusing on specific topics and skill development. It is important to note that the duration of each stage may vary depending on the training program and organizational requirements.

By following this structured timeline, interns can gradually build their knowledge and expertise in Java Full Stack Engineering, progressing from foundational concepts to more advanced skills throughout the course of the 16-week training program.

Training Structure and Workflow

The Java Full Stack Engineering (FSE) domain follows a structured progression consisting of four stages. After completing Stage 1, there is a critical milestone known as the Qualifier Assessment. To successfully proceed to the next stage, it is necessary to achieve a score of 70% or higher on this assessment. Falling below this threshold could result in termination from the internship, with the possibility of being enrolled in the CSD program, which is a training program available after graduation.

Upon successfully passing the Qualifier Assessment, interns progress to Stage 2, followed by Stage 3. These stages span a duration of seven weeks altogether. At the conclusion of Stage 3, an Interim Technical and Project evaluation takes place. Similar to the Qualifier Assessment, the passing criteria for this evaluation is also set at 70% or higher.

After completing Stage 3, interns continue to the final stage, Stage 4. At the conclusion of Stage 4, there is a Final SME (Subject Matter Expert) Technical and Project Evaluation. Again, the passing criteria for this evaluation remain consistent at 70% or higher.

These evaluation milestones serve as checkpoints throughout the internship, assessing technical proficiency and project performance, and ensuring a certain level of competency and understanding in the Java FSE domain.

Performance Metrices

Cognizant introduced two parameters for measuring your performance throughout this internship. One is Performance Health Score (PHS) and the other is Attendance Health Score (AHS).

The Performance Health Score (PHS) is a crucial indicator of an intern's performance throughout the training and internship period. It encompasses various elements, including assessment results, assignment performance, interim project and technical evaluation, as well as the final project and technical evaluation. To successfully graduate from the training, it is essential to maintain a PHS of 70% or above consistently throughout the internship.

The PHS takes into account how well an intern performed in assessments, demonstrating their understanding and application of the learned concepts. It also evaluates their performance in assignments, reflecting their ability to effectively complete assigned tasks. Additionally, the interim project and technical evaluation, as well as the final project and technical evaluation, contribute to the overall PHS by assessing an intern's capabilities in real-world project scenarios and their technical proficiency.

To meet the graduation requirements, it is crucial to maintain a PHS of 70% or higher. This emphasizes the importance of consistent performance across all aspects of the internship, showcasing a solid grasp of the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the training program. By meeting or exceeding the minimum PHS threshold, interns demonstrate their readiness to transition from the training phase to the next stage of their professional journey.
The Attendance Health Score (AHS) plays a significant role in evaluating an intern's attendance during their training and internship. The internship requires interns to report to the office for five days a week, from 9 AM to 7 PM. The AHS is calculated based on the recorded swipe-in and swipe-out timings, reflecting the intern's adherence to the designated working hours.

In addition to the swipe-in and swipe-out timings, the intern's attendance in various sessions throughout the day is also considered in calculating the AHS. Attending all the required sessions is essential to maintaining a high AHS. Missing out on any session may hurt the AHS score. The AHS score is an important metric as it reflects an intern's commitment to regular attendance and active participation in the internship program.

Consistently meeting the attendance requirements and actively engaging in the sessions contribute to a higher AHS, indicating a responsible and dedicated approach to the internship.

Interns are encouraged to prioritize their attendance and actively participate in all sessions to ensure a favorable AHS. A strong AHS demonstrates professionalism and reliability, reinforcing the intern's commitment to their training and internship responsibilities.

Stage-wise Internship Curriculum

Stage 1

Stage 1 consisted of five weeks. We got access to the Cognizant Academy courses and the Tekstac platform for doing the hands-on assignments related to the courses.

During the initial stage of the Java Full Stack Engineering (FSE) domain, several topics were covered to provide a foundation in various areas. The topics included User Interface Design, which encompassed HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. Following that, SQL programming was introduced, followed by Java Programming Fundamentals.

Within Java, the focus was on several key aspects such as Arrays and Strings, Object-Oriented Programming (OOPS) concepts, Exception Handling methods, Collection frameworks, and specific features of Java 11 and 12. These topics aimed to equip interns with a strong understanding of Java development.

After completing the first four weeks of Stage 1, interns were required to undergo a 3-hour Qualifier Assessment. This assessment consisted of three coding questions in Java, two query writing questions in SQL, and 12 multiple-choice questions covering HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. While the SQL questions were relatively easier, performing well in the Java coding questions required thorough hands-on practice. The Java questions focused on concepts such as the collection framework, getter-setter methods, and HashMap (Data Structure and Algorithms). To progress further in the internship, interns needed to achieve a score of 70% or higher on the Qualifier Assessment. Failure to meet this threshold could result in termination from the internship.

Overall, the first stage of the Java FSE domain covered essential topics such as User Interface Design, SQL programming, and Java Programming Fundamentals. The subsequent Qualifier Assessment served as a crucial evaluation to gauge the interns' proficiency and determine their continuation in the internship.

Cheat code for Qualifier Assessment: Practice the questions of Mock Qualifier in the Tekstac platform, you will get almost similar patterns of questions in the actual assessment.

Stage 2

Upon successfully completing the Qualifier Assessment, interns progress to Stage 2 of the Java FSE domain. Stage 2 spans four weeks and focuses on learning various application frameworks.

During this stage, interns delve into important topics such as Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), Spring Core, Maven, Unit Testing, and Code Quality, as well as Logging. These topics provide interns with essential knowledge and skills related to building robust and efficient applications.

The study of Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) helps interns understand the fundamental concepts and techniques for efficient data manipulation and algorithm design. Spring Core and Maven are application frameworks widely used in Java development for building enterprise-level applications, managing dependencies, and simplifying the development process.

Unit Testing and Code Quality are crucial aspects of software development, ensuring that code functions correctly and meets quality standards. Interns gain insights into techniques and tools for writing effective unit tests and maintaining code quality throughout the development lifecycle.

Furthermore, Logging is a critical practice for tracking and debugging applications. Interns learn about different logging frameworks and how to effectively utilize them for troubleshooting and monitoring purposes.

Overall, Stage 2 of the Java FSE domain provides interns with a comprehensive understanding of application frameworks, including DSA, Spring Core, Maven, Unit Testing, and Code Quality, as well as Logging. These skills are essential for developing robust and high-quality Java applications.

Stage 3

Stage 3 of the Java FSE domain primarily focuses on honing Full Stack Engineering (FSE) skills and is followed by the Interim project and technical evaluation. This stage delves into Spring Data and JPA, as well as Spring REST and Microservices.

During Stage 3, interns are tasked with creating an individual project that incorporates specific technology stacks, including Spring, React, and MySQL. While the focus in this stage is primarily on the backend and database aspects, interns are required to develop the CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations within their projects.

The Interim evaluation, conducted by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), assesses interns' progress and performance. During this evaluation, interns are expected to showcase the backend and database aspects of their projects. Additionally, they may be asked technical questions to evaluate their understanding of the concepts learned thus far.

Achieving a score of 70% or higher in the Interim evaluation places interns in the "green zone," indicating a satisfactory performance. However, if the score falls below the required threshold, interns must work diligently to improve their performance in the final evaluation to achieve an overall Performance Health Score (PHS) of 70% or higher.

The Interim project and technical evaluation serve as crucial milestones in Stage 3, assessing interns' practical application of the learned concepts and technical proficiency. Attaining a favorable score not only demonstrates their competence in FSE skills but also contributes to their overall PHS, reflecting their performance throughout the internship.

Stage 4

This final stage of the training focuses on mastering React or Angular, depending on the instructions provided. Over a duration of four weeks, interns delve into learning and implementing React in the project's front end.

At the culmination of this stage, interns undergo the final SME project and technical evaluation. The evaluation entails showcasing the entire project and its functionalities, ensuring that all components - backend, front end, and database - are properly connected and functioning correctly. The evaluation encompasses a comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the project.

The technical evaluation, conducted by SMEs, covers questions spanning Stage 1 to Stage 4 of the training. SMEs have the flexibility to ask questions about any relevant topics covered throughout the training curriculum. Therefore, thorough preparation is essential, encompassing areas such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Spring Boot, Maven, ReactJS, and MySQL.

During the project evaluation, interns are typically asked to showcase their project as a whole and provide an explanation of its workflow. This includes detailing how the front-end and back-end components are interconnected and function together seamlessly.

To successfully pass the final evaluation, interns must aim for a score of 70% or higher. It's important to note that if the interim evaluation yielded a lower score, interns can compensate by earning higher marks in the final evaluation to achieve an average of 70% or above.

Preparing diligently and reviewing all the topics covered during the training is crucial for success. By demonstrating a strong understanding and implementation of the learned concepts, interns can secure a favorable score in the final evaluation, contributing to their overall Performance Health Score (PHS).

Weightage of Interim and Final Evaluation

Here is the weightage distribution of the Interim and Final evaluation scores:

Interim Project Evaluation - 15% weightage.
Interim Technical Evaluation - 15% weightage.
Final Project Evaluation - 35% weightage.
Final Technical Evaluation - 35% weightage.

All total it is a 100% score of your PHS.

Stipend Structure

During the internship, you will receive a stipend of Rs. 48,000.00. The stipend payout is distributed as follows:

Completion of Stage 1 (Passing the Qualifier Assessment) - Rs. 15000.00 (In hand Rs. 13500.00)
Completion of Stage 2 - Rs. 12000.00 (In hand Rs. 10800.00)
Completion of Stage 3 - Rs. 9000.00 (In hand Rs. 8100.00)
Completion of Stage 4 - Rs. 12000.00 (In hand Rs. 10800.00)

This stipend payout structure is for the Java FSE domain. Other domains may have different payout structures.

The stipend is divided into these stages, with a corresponding payout for each successful completion. The amount received in hand after deductions is mentioned alongside each stage.

Please note that the stipend amounts mentioned are subject to the specific internship program and may vary depending on the terms and conditions set by the organization.

My opinion

In my opinion, this training cum internship program offers immense opportunities for freshers. As an intern, you have access to the office premises, allowing you to establish connections, build new contacts, and learn from experienced professionals. Being present in the office environment facilitates acquiring knowledge and fosters the development of friendships and professional relationships. Joining a prestigious organization like Cognizant is a dream come true for many newcomers in the industry.

It's important to approach this experience with confidence and an open mindset. Don't hesitate to network and form new connections. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who possess extensive knowledge and expertise. Attend their sessions, implement the technologies they teach you in your projects, and make the most of the Cognizant study materials available to you at any time. Maintaining a positive attitude and investing your time wisely in this training program will undoubtedly yield positive results.

Remember, this training cum internship program is designed to provide you with a valuable learning experience and equip you with the skills necessary for a successful career. Embrace the opportunities, stay proactive, and make the most of the resources and interactions available to you. By doing so, you can make a significant impact on your personal and professional growth during your time at Cognizant.

Check out my campus placement experience blogs,

Abhishek Sharma