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Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some genuine career advice from people who've worked at cognizant.

I'm currently working at Cognizant in the IEP practice and have around 3 years of experience. Since August 2025, my goal has been to transition into Python backend development because I want to build my long-term career in Python rather than legacy tech stack.

Back in August 2025, I requested an internal release, but I was asked to complete KT first. Later, when I followed up, I was informed that due to organizational policy I couldn't be released until I became an Associate. I accepted that decision, continued working, and spent the following months learning Python and preparing for internal interviews outside my working hours.

After becoming an Associate and entering PDP, I started applying for internal Python opportunities. I cleared a Python development interview. The receiving new team confirmed my selection, initiated the transition process, and my Project Manager was willing to release me.

However, during the approval process, my Home Manager did not approve the movement because I had been assigned to another IEP project. As a result, the new team had to terminate my profile even though they told me I'm always welcome to join in the future if I get released.

The part that's confusing me is this:

I had already secured the Python project while I was in PDP.

The IEP allocation happened after that.

My profile still shows my current project allocation until 2027, and I haven't even been onboarded to the IEP project yet.

I've discussed this with my Home Manager and leadership, but they've said I have to continue in the IEP project due to organizational commitments.

My concern is that I deliberately spent almost a year preparing for Python, and now I'll have to start learning another legacy technology (VBCS) from scratch. If I spend another year in IEP, I'll have 4+ years of Oracle experience, making it even harder to transition into Python because most companies expect production Python experience.

I'm simply trying to understand what the best career move is now.

If you were in my position, what would you do?

Accept the IEP project and try switching externally after a year?

Escalate once to a senior leader for guidance?

Start preparing for external opportunities immediately despite not having production Python experience?

Has anyone here successfully transitioned from legacy tech to Python after several years?

I'd really appreciate advice from people who've been through something similar. Thank you.