18 Years of Living My Dream @ Infosys

Like nearly all youngsters standing at the threshold of their careers, I too had many aspirations, the most important of which was the wish to join my “dream company.” 18 years ago, I arrived at the Infosys campus in Bangalore for the final interview round. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful the campus was, with lush greenery, water bodies and fountains, and amazing architecture. I kept taking in the beautiful surroundings while waiting for my interview call in Building 1, HR section. More than the beauty, there was something else that struck me. Hundreds of people were walking about, and each one of them had only one expression on their faces – that of happiness.

By then, I was convinced that Infosys was the one.  But before my dream could be realized, there were still a few hurdles to be crossed. I had already cleared my technical rounds, but back then, the recruitment process included a couple of other assessments, one of which was a puzzle test, and the other was an HR round. Looking back, I think the Universe wanted me to be a part of Infosys, because I was able to clear these rounds as well.

When I received a call confirming my selection, my joy knew no bounds. On October 7, 2002, exactly 18 years ago, I became a part of Infosys, which has since become my second family. And for the last 18 years, I have lived a dream every single day: my dream of working at Infosys.

I always used to ask myself: “What makes an organization great?” I was able to answer this question convincingly after joining Infosys. The scope of my work has never been limited; I have been given amazing opportunities and the flexibility to play multiple roles. This helped me work and learn with great leaders all the time. I still remember my initial projects, which were for a telecom major. My first onsite trip was to Paris, the City of Lights. Although various delivery roles took me to the US and UK many times later, the Paris trip will always remain special in my heart. Just like a first love or first crush!

In 2009, I moved to the Strategy, Planning and Operations group where I was called upon to play a key role in incubating businesses. I was subsequently given the chance to set up smaller service lines, nurture them and develop strategies to accelerate their growth. I was also extremely fortunate to work on multiple deals, including Infosys’ acquisitions of Brilliant Basics and WONGDOODY. During all these stints, I worked in various roles alongside some great leaders in the organization. One of the most memorable moments at Infosys and for me personally was the day I met Nandan Nilekani. He is not only an Infosys stalwart but a highly respected personality in India and globally, and meeting him was an experience which will always remain etched in my memory.

What makes Infosys a truly great organization, is the emphasis it places on high ethical standards, values and integrity. These attributes have had a profound impact and made me the person I am today.

At Infosys, the C-LIFE (Client Value, Leadership by Example, Integrity & Transparency, Fairness and Excellence) core values are ingrained in every member by construct, from the leadership team to the junior-most colleague. These values have helped us become one of the most reputed organizations in the world, and I feel very proud to be part of such an ecosystem. It has shaped my personality in a big way, and I apply these values in my personal life as well. Most importantly, these values have helped me face many challenging situations and overcome moments of self-doubt.

When I look back at the last 18 years, I am always filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude. I have made great friends at Infosys, worked with wonderful colleagues and reporting managers, and enjoyed life in every possible way. Whether it is regular hangouts at Chai Point, banana leaf lunches at Kamat, Amul ice cream escapades or Friday night team parties, I have experienced some truly memorable times.

We are living in an age where collaboration is getting redefined and we have a significant role to make this happen in a positive way. We have kept the fun alive by setting up regular Friday evening online meetings solely to unwind and enjoy some good times together. And that is not all. We have also devised other virtual interactions such as online contests, chai pe charcha video calls with team. Although virtual events can never replace the experience of participating in such events in person, they keep the momentum going and also fill everyone with a healthy dose of positivity.

 My journey at Infosys would not have been possible without the support, encouragement and team spirit of so many wonderful people that I have worked with over the years, and I would like to express my gratitude to everyone. The last 18 years have been full of opportunities, challenges, and immense learning.  In an ever-evolving world, where businesses are challenged by unforeseen circumstances, I am confident to get a place that always challenges the normal and embraces newer ones faster and of course, enjoying many more fun events and get-togethers to keep the camaraderie and and team spirit alive!