Back at Cognizant, I was working with one of the largest banks in America, taking on the role of a Business Analyst within the product team. My focus was on developing internal software used by Phone Bankers—those helping Americans activate their cards, update card details, initiate balance transfers, or view payment and transaction summaries.
That engagement taught me the end-to-end lifecycle of a product—from ideation to development cycles and phased production releases. I gained hands-on experience understanding how internal tools interact with various APIs to fetch scattered data securely, and why certain information resides in distinct APIs or databases for safety and compliance. I also got a clear picture of how user access differs and how authorization logic is built, enforced, and audited.
Working closely with Product Owners, I had the opportunity to suggest product improvements. It was an eye-opening phase where I not only strengthened my foundation in product management but also developed a deep appreciation for UX and operational flow. On a day-to-day basis, I would break down product requirements into clear backlogs, ensuring developers had what they needed to build effectively.
Then came Juspay—and honestly, I don’t think words can fully capture how much I’ve learned here. Payments have always been somewhat of a mystery to the average person, but I’ve come to realize just how fascinating and complex the space truly is—and how much easier it can be to grasp with just a little bit of guidance.
At Juspay, the pace is electric. It’s fast, focused, and collaborative. Unlike my previous role where teams often worked in silos, here everything is accessible—if I have a doubt or need help, I just walk over and get it resolved. Whether it’s the Business Development team or Backend developers, everyone is just a desk away. This kind of cross-functional fluidity is hard to find in large-scale companies and is one of the most energizing parts of working here.
What stands out most to me at Juspay is the open-source mindset. From the Namma Yatri initiative to Hyperswitch, the company is driven by a genuine desire to serve merchants. Hyperswitch, which once catered exclusively to the American and European markets, is now available for Indian businesses as well—and it’s open-source on GitHub. External contributors actively commit to it, and everyone here shares a common goal: delivering exceptional customer service.
I take pride in being part of a company where “customer is king” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s something lived and breathed by every single person. At Juspay, for us, the merchant is our customer—and everything we do is centered around enabling and empowering them. That kind of culture only exists when the top management deeply believes in it and leads by example.
I know I’m still in the early stages of exploring the vast world of fintech. It feels like there’s an iceberg beneath the surface, and I’ve only just begun to uncover it. But the journey so far has been incredible. Thanks to the learning-driven ecosystem and everyone who welcomes newcomers with open arms, I no longer fear payments—I’m intrigued by them.
Here’s to more lessons, more discoveries, and more stories,
Swaathy Kumaran
Originally published on Substack.
Just a quick note: I neither endorse nor discourage working at any specific company. This is simply a personal reflection and a neutral comparison of two organizations with contrasting work cultures. What works for one person may not work for another—each journey is unique, and so is every workplace experience.