At Kognitiv, we believe our people do their best work when they are empowered to pursue meaningful lives outside the office. To celebrate loyalty and dedication, Kognitiv offers the 5-Year Experience—a sponsored perk designed to give employees reaching their 5-year milestone the time and resources to take an unforgettable, bucket-list adventure.

Recently, Drew Ranahan, Senior Manager, Workday Professional Services, celebrated five years with Kognitiv. Here is his story of turning a 5-year milestone into a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the Serengeti.

Five Years at Kognitiv, One Unforgettable Adventure in Tanzania

By Drew Ranahan, Senior Manager, Workday Professional Services

There are certain experiences that are difficult to fully appreciate until you're actually living them. Watching thousands of wildebeest gather along the banks of the Mara River, waiting for the first brave few to cross crocodile-filled waters, is definitely one of them.

This past July, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend two weeks exploring Tanzania and Zanzibar for our honeymoon. The trip also lined up with my five-year anniversary at Kognitiv, where I could enjoy our 5-Year Experience benefit.

It was a trip we'd been looking forward to for a long time, and it managed to exceed every expectation.

Five Years of Growth at Kognitiv

When I joined Kognitiv five years ago, I couldn't have anticipated all the opportunities, challenges, and relationships that would come along the way.

Over those five years, I've had the opportunity to grow from an individual contributor into a leadership role, work with an incredible variety of clients, and collaborate with some genuinely talented people across the organization.

One of the things I've appreciated most about Kognitiv is the opportunity to continue challenging myself professionally while being surrounded by people who support one another's success.

Reaching the five-year milestone gave me an opportunity to reflect on that journey. And having a company benefit that encourages employees to celebrate the milestone through a meaningful personal experience made it even more rewarding.

For us, that meant turning a bucket-list safari into a reality.

The Adventure of a Lifetime

My wife and I had dreamed of a "once in a lifetime" honeymoon adventure, and a safari halfway around the world seemed like the perfect fit. Even with high expectations, nothing quite prepares you for seeing these animals in their natural environment.

We were fortunate enough to visit during the Great Migration, when enormous herds of wildebeest move across the Serengeti ecosystem in search of fresh grazing.

One of the most memorable moments was witnessing a crossing of the Mara River. After watching the wildebeest gather along the riverbank, we finally saw a group make the plunge. Within moments, crocodiles were moving through the water, and we watched the drama unfold right in front of us. It was an incredible reminder that what looks like a nature documentary on television is an entirely different experience in person.

And the wildlife encounters didn't stop there.

We saw multiple leopards, including one that had made a kill and dragged its prey into a tree. We watched cheetahs moving through the grasslands, encountered groups of lions, and were lucky enough to spot a black rhino in the distance.

One of my favorite parts of the safari was that you never really knew what the next game drive would bring. Some of the best moments were completely unexpected, and every day felt like a new adventure.

More Than Just a Milestone

One of the things that made this experience so meaningful was the opportunity to truly disconnect from work.

In a client-facing role, there's always another meeting, project, or challenge that needs attention. Being able to step away for two weeks, knowing I had a great team supporting our clients and keeping things moving, made it possible to be fully present throughout the trip.

That kind of trust and support is something I've come to appreciate throughout my time at Kognitiv.

The 5-Year Experience is a great benefit, but to me, it also represents something bigger: a company that recognizes the people who help build it and encourages them to make meaningful memories outside of work.

Five years into my Kognitiv journey, I'm grateful for the professional growth, the relationships I've built, and the opportunities I've been given along the way.

And now, thanks in part to Kognitiv, I can add an unforgettable Tanzanian safari to that list.

I can't wait for the next adventure.