Jeril Nadar : Technical Analyst

I am currently working as Senior Technical Analyst in Cognizant Technology Solutions. I have 9 years of experience now. I started working as a software engineer way back in 2006. I am working as a Java/J2EE senior developer/ consultant with CTS. I want to progress further and become a product manager.

I joined the computer science stream when I pursued engineering and this motivated me to pursue a career in the software industry. This is a very agile industry and you need to be abreast with the latest changes to progress further. There are challenges to be overcome everyday and this motivated me to pursue a career in this field.

It’s pretty rewarding for those who have a passion for software development. You keep learning new things either on the technology front or the domain front or about people management. If you're not focused, then there might be some disappointment. My word of caution will be that if you are really not passionate about software engineering, then think twice before getting into this field.

Challenging. That is the word. Everyday there are new challenges to be conquered. My work involves Core Java/J2EE web application development including analysis, design, development and testing & support. There is also a lot of collaboration with client and onsite counterparts. The software industry has changed dramatically. Each day newer and better software are being introduced in the market and if you don’t keep yourself updated, then you will get outdated! If you keep the faith and continue the race with perseverance, then everything is yours.

The journey has been very fruitful and at each stage I have learnt a lot from colleagues, self-learning etc. I would like to see myself as a product manager handling the end-to-end lifecycle of a product right from its inception to the final delivery.

I completed Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from NIT Calicut in 2006. I have also undergone a few trainings in different computer languages like C, C++, Java etc. I have also taken up various courses in people management, soft skill development etc.

Analytical & logical skills, adaptability, a focused approach towards solutions, team work, perseverance and faith in God can help you succeed in this industry.

Learning new skills/ technology is always a joy. There are challenges when something critical has to go very fast into production/live environment. In such cases we have to stretch and make sure that the deliverables are given to customer on time as per their expectations and to their satisfaction.

Firstly you need to complete your graduation and/ or post-graduation in engineering (preferably Computer Science or Information Technology). You also need to develop sharp analytical and logical skills. Technically, you should be able to develop software in multiple computer languages.

Love your work, stay updated about the latest developments in IT and finally, work hard. This would ensure that you grow in the organization as per your desire.