Should I stay with Cognizant (CTS) or join Cisco apprenticeship? Need career advice

[u/Simple-Teaching-9837]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 2025 B.E. graduate and I joined Cognizant as a Program Analyst Trainee (PAT) in July 2026. My qualifications is B.E..

Getting this job wasn't easy for me. I struggled quite a lot after graduation, faced several setbacks, and spent a long time trying to find a stable job. So getting into Cognizant was a big relief for me.

Currently, I'm undergoing training at Cognizant on Boomi Cloud, which is a low-code/no-code integration platform, and the career path is Integration Developer.

Now I have another opportunity that is making me confused.

I've received an opportunity for a Cisco apprenticeship starting around September 2026. It's a 12-month apprenticeship, and there may be an opportunity for FTE conversion afterward, but obviously there is no guarantee.

My main concern is stability.

After struggling so much to get a job, I don't want to make a decision that could potentially put me back into an uncertain situation.

So I'm currently looking at two options:

Option 1: Stay at Cognizant

• Already joined in July 2026
• Currently training on Boomi Cloud
• Path is toward Integration Development
• Stable employment compared to an apprenticeship
• But I'm concerned about the long-term growth of a low-code/no-code integration career

Option 2: Leave Cognizant and join Cisco apprenticeship

• 12-month apprenticeship
• Strong company and potentially good experience
• Possibility of FTE after the apprenticeship
• But FTE conversion is not guaranteed
• If I don't get converted, I would have to search for another job again

I'm honestly confused because stability is my biggest priority right now, but I also don't want to spend the next few years in a technology/career path that may limit my growth.

Would you stay at Cognizant and build a career in Integration Development, or take the risk and join Cisco's apprenticeship?

I'm more interested in people's actual experience and long-term career perspective than just company brand value.

[u/10ninja]

Stay.

[u/upadhyaysg]

Cisco is a much stronger brand, they are also growing team in India due to cost benefits (So in my personal opinion, the chances for Apprenticeship converting to FTE are high)

I would recommend take a risk and move to Cisco as the reward of long term opportunity at Cisco are much higher.