Industry Insights: Technology Consulting with Cognizant

Published by: CCA

Industry Insights is a way for students to interact with current professionals in high-demand industries, where these industry leaders discuss current and future trends in their sector, as well as incredibly sought-after tips and tricks to make a mark. Today, hear from Chris Yong, Workday Practice Director from Cognizant, as he speaks about the skills, strategies, and future trends inside the Technology Consulting space!


 
 

1. What soft skills distinguish great consultants from good ones?

Great consultants live out values — not just on client sites, but in everyday moments. At Cognizant, we believe in five simple but powerful values, and they shape a great consultant:

a. They Work as One — not just to be a team player, but because they know we go farther together than alone. They step up for others and celebrate shared wins.

b. They Dare to Innovate — they’re not afraid to speak up, to challenge the status quo. They know growth never happens in the comfort zone.

c. They Do the Right Thing — even when it’s the hard thing. Great consultants have integrity in their core.

d. They Raise the Bar — not because someone told them to, but because they hold themselves to a higher standard. That’s leadership — with or without a title.

e. They Own It — they don’t point fingers. They take responsibility, they follow through, and they make things happen.

But even more than that, they are curious learners with a growth mindset. They take initiative. They’re deeply aware of how they show up. They bounce back with resilience. And they never forget to give back — because success means little if you’re not lifting others as you climb.


2. What does a successful intern/graduate look like at your firm?

The most successful interns and graduates I’ve mentored at Cognizant — they all had this one thing in common: they have a positive and go-getter attitude. They were the ones who:

  • Took ownership of small tasks like they were mission critical.

  • Asked thoughtful questions instead of waiting to be told what to do.

  • Were coachable — not defensive — when given feedback.

  • Looked for ways to serve the team, not just shine on their own.

They bring a growth mindset, take initiative, and stay humble and hungry.

3. How can students from a non-technical background get into tech consulting?

You don’t need to be a coder to get into tech consulting. Many of the best consultants I’ve worked with studied commerce, psychology, or even arts. What they did have was:

  • Strong problem-solving skills

  • Great communication

  • A hunger to learn fast

At Cognizant, we value people who can translate business needs into tech solutions. You can start by:

  • Taking a short course (e.g. in design thinking, data analytics, or business analysis)

  • Joining university consulting clubs or case competitions

  • Being curious about how businesses work — and how tech can improve them


4. How important is domain knowledge (e.g. supply chain, finance) as well as technical experience in consulting?

Both matter — but neither has to be perfect on Day 1. Domain knowledge helps you understand what clients care about in the context of their industry (e.g. reducing inventory waste in manufacturing or improving payroll accuracy in financial services). Technical knowledge helps you understand what’s possible (e.g. how a cloud system might automate it).

As a graduate, focus on one area of interest — like HR, finance, or supply chain — and build enough understanding to ask smart questions. Then pair it with tech basics (e.g. SaaS, automation, AI) to stand out.


5. How do you handle ethical considerations when recommending AI-based solutions to your clients?

At Cognizant, we treat Responsible AI as a strategic imperative, not just a compliance checkbox. Ethical AI is a core part of how we operate — and it’s also what sets us apart.

We’re seeing a rapid rise in AI-related risks, from language model hallucinations to algorithmic bias. That’s why in 2024, we launched the Cognizant Trust Framework — our unified model for embedding Responsible AI across everything we do.

Here’s how we make sure AI solutions are safe, ethical, and trustworthy:

  • We start with principles: Our Responsible AI principles focus on safety, reliability, and human empowerment. These guide every AI engagement — from internal innovation to client-facing delivery.

  • We operationalise them: The newly established Responsible AI (RAI) Office ensures we bring those principles to life. It supports consultants with tools, training, and governance standards to embed trust at every step — from design to deployment.

  • We act as advisors: When working with clients, we use our Cognizant Trust™ Framework to assess risks, design with transparency, and ensure alignment with evolving global standards. We're also building tools and training programs so our teams can lead conversations on ethical AI with confidence.


6. What is the lifecycle from client briefing to solution delivery, for a regular tech consulting project?

A typical lifecycle looks like this:

  • Discovery – We meet with stakeholders to understand the challenge.

  • Define – We map business goals and success metrics.

  • Design – We co-create a solution, often using workshops and prototypes.

  • Build & Test – Technical teams configure or build the system.

  • Deploy – We go live, train users, and support change.

  • Sustain – We monitor adoption, fix bugs, and drive improvements.


7. How does the company ensure its consultants stay ahead of the curve in such a fast-evolving tech landscape?

At Cognizant, we are committed to ensuring our consultants remain at the forefront of the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Our approach encompasses structured training, real-world experience, and continuous learning opportunities.

  • Structured Learning and Development: Our APAC Graduate Program is designed to build a strong foundation in both technical and consulting skills. Through the Cognizant Academy, participants have access to state-of-the-art mentoring, learning, and training programs, including regular leadership and practice sessions.

  • Real-World Project Experience: From day one, graduates work alongside experienced mentors on real projects that help leading-edge companies sharpen their edge and increase their lead.

  • Continuous Learning Culture: We foster a culture of continuous learning, encouraging consultants to pursue certifications and expand their skill sets. For instance, graduates have the opportunity to study for certifications to enhance their expertise in specific domains.

  • Diverse Career Pathways: Cognizant offers various career paths and learning opportunities, empowering consultants to explore new industries, roles, and skills. This flexibility allows our consultants to adapt and thrive in a dynamic tech environment.

Through these initiatives, Cognizant ensures that our consultants are well-equipped to navigate and lead in the fast-paced world of technology.


8. What is the most exciting project you’ve worked on in tech consulting, and what did you learn from it that could be valuable to students entering the field?

One of the most exciting projects was a full HR transformation for a global media company. We replaced multiple systems with a single Workday system around the world. What I learned:

  • Change is 80% people, 20% tech — stakeholder buy-in was the hardest part.

  • Communication beats complexity — keep solutions simple and clear.


9. How does the firm approach digital transformation projects for clients, and what is the typical impact on businesses?

We start with people and process before jumping into platforms. Our approach:

  • Align business goals (e.g. speed up hiring, reduce costs)

  • Understand current pain points

  • Design smarter processes — then support with the right tech

  • Train and guide the people through change

Impact? Huge. Digital transformation helps clients:

  • Make better decisions (with real-time data)

  • Serve customers faster

  • Attract and retain talent


10. What emerging technologies or platforms are shaping the future of tech consulting, and how should students be preparing for these advancements? What are some of the key trends you’re seeing in these sub-sectors?

Emerging technologies to watch:

  • AI and Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot) – changing how we work and serve clients

  • Cloud ERPs like Workday, SAP S/4HANA, Oracle – streamlining HR, Finance, Supply Chain

  • Data and Analytics – driving smarter, faster business decisions

  • Agentic AI, automation & RPA – reducing manual, repetitive tasks

Trends we’re seeing:

  • Clients want faster, smarter solutions — not just big transformation programs

  • Focus is shifting from tech delivery to business outcomes

  • Skills like storytelling, design thinking, and stakeholder engagement are in demand


How to prepare:

  • Learn the basics of cloud, data, and AI (plenty of resources on YouTube, LinkedIn Learning)

  • Practice solving real-world problems (hackathons, consulting clubs)

  • Build soft skills: influence, curiosity, resilience — they set you apart.

Contributor’s Profile

Chris Yong is a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in business transformation and process improvement across multiple sectors in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. At Cognizant, he leads the Advisory Services (Strategy, Transformation, Organisational Change Management & Training) of the Cognizant Workday Practice in APAC. He has applied his expertise to drive strategic initiatives and deliver impactful solutions. His career spans diverse industries, including business process outsourcing (Acquire BPO), legal (Slater & Gordon Lawyers), not-for-profit (Vision Australia), engineering (Worley), government (Victorian Auditor-General’s Office), and auditing (EY).

Chris holds a Bachelor of Information Systems from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from Melbourne Business School, reflecting a strong academic foundation in both technology and business management. He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC). Chris is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and volunteers on two not-for-profit boards. His multilingual capabilities further enhance his ability to navigate complex, multicultural business landscapes effectively. 











This article is published by CCA, a student association affiliated with Monash University. Opinions published are not necessarily those of the publishers. CCA and Monash University do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in the publication.

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