Reflecting on 18 Years at TCS: A Journey of Growth, Learning, and Future Horizons.

A few days ago, I marked 18 incredible years at TCS. As I reflect on this milestone, I’m grateful for a journey filled with growth, learning, and evolving horizons. From starting my career in Quality Assurance and Test Automation to leading high-impact projects and teams, each step has contributed to my professional and personal development. Here’s to celebrating the experiences that have shaped my path and looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

As I look back on these 18 years, I’m grateful for the incredible growth and learning opportunities I’ve experienced. ?Here’s to continuing this journey and exploring new horizons in the future!

1. Starting Out or Early beginnings:

In August 2006, I started my career with TCS, transitioning directly from NIT Trichy to join the team in Hyderabad as a fresh graduate. My initial phase included the intensive Initial Learning Program (ILP), a three-month training course that equipped me with both technical and soft skills.

Following this foundational period, I was excited to relocate to Chennai for my first assignment, marking the beginning of a rewarding career in the tech industry.

I’m thrilled to highlight a few key milestones that have defined my professional path. Each step has been instrumental in shaping my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have come my way.

2. Key Milestones:

2.1. Quality Assurance/Test Automation Development ( 2006 - 2009) :

I engaged myself in Quality Assurance and Test Automation, a period that was crucial for my professional development. During these years, I gained invaluable experience working on diverse projects that deepened my understanding of quality practices and automation techniques. This foundational experience not only sharpened my technical skills but also set the stage for my future roles in leadership and project management.

2.2. Test Automation ( 2010 - 2017) :

In 2010, my career took a significant turn when I was given the chance to lead Test Automation efforts for a major insurance customer in the UK. This role allowed me to work on-site in Edinburgh, where I further sharpened my leadership and technical skills while contributing to innovative solutions. I took on the exciting role of leading Test Automation efforts for a major insurance client in the UK, which allowed me to work on-site in Edinburgh and further develop my leadership and technical skills.

In 2011, As soon as my assignment in Edinburgh concluded, I was thrilled to receive a new opportunity to work on Performance Testing for a major airline company in London. This transition allowed me to further expand my expertise and contribute to high-impact projects in a dynamic environment.

From 2012-2014, following the successful completion of my assignment in London, I was excited to embrace a new opportunity to lead Test Automation efforts for a major building society in Bradford/Leeds, UK. This role allowed me to further expand my expertise and contribute to high-impact projects within a dynamic and challenging environment.

From 2015 to 2017, I had the opportunity to lead an automation team in Hyderabad/USA for largest provider of mutual funds and the second-largest provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the world, where I worked with various automation tools. In 2017, I expanded my horizons by traveling to the Malvern,PA USA to work directly at the customer’s location, further enhancing my experience and contributing to impactful projects.

2.3. Project Management ( 2018 -2021) :

I had the privilege of leading and managing teams on a mission-critical project requiring 24x7 availability. This role was instrumental in refining my project management skills and provided valuable opportunities to deepen my technical expertise in development tasks. My leadership during this period gained significant confidence and trust, contributing to the project's success and my professional growth.

2.4. Program/Engagement Management ( 2022 - Present ) :

In January 2022, I had the exciting opportunity to lead multiple related teams in a program management role at a customer location. This experience involved driving collaborative success across various projects. This role has been a significant milestone in my career, offering a chance to leverage and further develop my leadership skills.

3. Certifications & Continuous Learning :

My journey has been marked by a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Key certifications include:

• Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) – Project Management Institute (2024)
• Professional Scrum Master I – Scrum.org (2023)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) - Project Management Institute (2023)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute (2021)
• AWS Solutions Training for Partners: Foundation – Business – AWS (2020)
• Cloud Developer – AWS – Intermediate Certification – TCS (2019)
• ISTQB-ISEB Certified Tester – Foundation Level – BCS (2014)

These certifications have been pivotal in staying current with industry trends and enhancing my leadership and technical skills.

4. Growth and Learning :

These experiences and certifications have significantly contributed to my growth in leadership, technical expertise, and project/program management. Each role has provided valuable lessons and has been instrumental in shaping my professional capabilities.

5. Gratitude :

I am deeply thankful to my mentors, colleagues, and teams who have supported me throughout this journey especially Anupam Baidya Seethadevi Veeraraghavan Anilkumar Ganteti Arunkumar Ayyavoo Chidananda Reddy Prabhakar Karamsetty Ganapathi Kuchi Madhu Jaladi Sadiq Syed Prasanthi Lingampalli Kartik Iyer Pramod Krishnan Himani Jhamb Mueeda Khan Muthukumaran Venkatachalam and customers.Your guidance and encouragement have been crucial in achieving my goals.

6. Looking Ahead:

As I look to the future, I am excited about the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am eager to continue growing, and contributing to our success.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Here’s to many more milestones and continued growth! I am eager to see what the future holds and look forward to the next chapter of growth and opportunity!

#CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #Leadership #Innovation #Certifications #Gratitude #LookingAhead #TCS

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