Thoughtworks University

Celebrating 20 years of extraordinary impact

Stories, lessons and voices from graduates, trainers and leaders who shaped Thoughtworks University (TWU)

This year, we celebrate 20 years of Thoughtworks University, a milestone that has shaped who we are and how we grow. TWU is more than a training program, it is the heartbeat of Thoughtworks and the creation of future leaders.

This e-book captures the stories, lessons and impact of TWU over two decades, in the words of the people who have lived it.

Download the e-book

Thoughtworks University by the numbers

Since its start in 2005, Thoughtworks University has been the foundation of our talent strategy, preparing graduates and careers changers for their first client engagements while planting the seeds for long-term leadership and cultural impact.

-years
+                                of history since 2005
-,300+
+                                graduates have been part of TWU
-+
+                                countries represented across cohorts
                                 trainees in a single in-person batch

Reflections from two decades

In a world that’s moving toward remote and distributed work, bringing grads from around the globe to India for the same immersive experience still feels radical. But it created something no regional program ever could. It built a bond that connects us across continents and cultures long after we’ve gone back home.

Giulia Mercurio

TWU Operations
Though the specifics and the content of the program have changed many times over the years, what has remained the same is that TWU is the primary way we shape and grow the culture and talent of the future.

Joanna Parke

Chief Talent Officer
There is something about teaching that opens oour mind in a completely different way. When you start teaching something, sharing your knowledge with other people, there is something hat’s unlocked in our brain.

Patricia Muniz

TWU Trainer
No matter how much the tools or technologies evolve, the heart of TWU remains unchanged: it’s about people, shaping thoughtful, resilient, curious consultants who lead with empathy. As we look ahead to the next 20 years, our belief stays the same, real impact begins with people who are willing to grow.

Jade Daubney-Bennett

TWU Program Lead
I had teammates that had very different experiences, were in the middle of a career change or came from a wide variety of industries. They brought a lot to the table that I wouldn’t have expected at first glance.

Santiago Minga

TWU Graduate

What’s inside

Crossing thresholds

Graduates and career changers at TWU share their experiences of growth, confidence and transformation, and how the program shaped their early journeys at Thoughtworks.

The teachers who learned

Trainers reflect on the unique perspective of teaching at TWU, and how guiding others also taught them valuable lessons.

The architects of transformation

Behind-the-scenes stories from the people who designed, sustained and evolved TWU into a global program with lasting impact.

The next twenty years

Reflections on how TWU can continue shaping people transformation in a changing world, preparing future leaders for what comes next.

20 years of shaping future leaders

Who should read this ebook?

Anyone curious about how talent transformation has shaped Thoughtworks over two decades. Whether you’re a graduate, a trainer, a leader, or simply someone interested in how people and culture evolve in tech, this e-book offers valuable perspectives.

In this e-book, you’ll find:

Stories of growth, resilience and transformation from TWU graduates.
Lessons from trainers who learned as much as they taught.
Insights from the architects who built and sustained TWU.
Reflections on the next 20 years of people transformation.

What Thoughtworks University is all about

Blog

Behind the scenes of Thoughtworks University in India

Join Jade Daubney-Bennett, Global Head of First Year Experience, as she shares what it took to relaunch Thoughtworks University (TWU) in person. From coordinating logistics in India to designing an immersive learning journey for grads and career changers, this behind-the-scenes story reveals the people, energy and purpose that make TWU unforgettable.

Go behind the scenes of TWU
Blog

Understanding the recruitment process for Thoughtworks University

Curious about what it takes to join Thoughtworks through TWU? This blog gives you an inside look at our unique recruitment process, from the first conversation to final interviews. Whether you're applying or just exploring, you'll get practical tips, a clear breakdown of each step and a sense of how we hire with purpose, collaboration and potential in mind.

Learn what to expect and how to prepare for your TWU journey
Blog

Thoughtworks University, an immersive journey

Get a closer look at Ana Boyero’s three week journey through Thoughtworks University in Romania. In this blog, she shares what it’s like to join TWU, from hands-on technical learning and agile teamwork to cultural experiences and preparing for her first client project. A candid reflection on growth, community and the start of her career as a Thoughtworker.

Discover Ana’s TWU experience

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Thoughtworks University

Celebrating 20 years of extraordinary impact

Stories, lessons and voices from graduates, trainers and leaders who shaped Thoughtworks University (TWU)

Thoughtworks University by the numbers

Reflections from two decades