I’ll always remember the second my cellphone rang and I heard these phrases, “Congratulations, we’d prefer to give you the job.” I used to be sitting beside my mother and I burst into tears. It was greater than only a job supply — it was the belief of a dream I’d carried for years lastly coming true. My first response wasn’t simply pleasure — it was sheer reduction. Getting that decision to affix Cisco TAC had been extremely tough, and in that second, every thing I had pushed by way of lastly felt price it.
Let me take you again a bit. My dad handed away after I was 11, my mother raised three daughters by herself, and cash was tight at dwelling. My work life began early, again in 2009, after I acquired my first job as a saleswoman promoting perfumes. I didn’t have my bachelor’s or technical diploma then, however I wanted to work and assist help my household. After that first job, I labored in a medical manufacturing unit — solely to be fired as a result of I used to be too gradual on the manufacturing line. So, I discovered one other manufacturing unit job.
I bear in mind listening to about Cisco in highschool. Entering into expertise and someday working at Cisco turned a dream of mine. There have been technical excessive faculties in my space, however I used to be by no means the straight-A scholar they had been on the lookout for. Nonetheless, I at all times cherished computer systems. As youngsters, my Godfather gave us a pc and I cherished tinkering with it — breaking it, fixing it, and even combating off the occasional virus (Thanks, Limewire!). These little victories gave me a style for tech, even when I didn’t understand it on the time.
I knew the manufacturing unit was only a stepping stone whereas I figured issues out. Then, someday on the bus, I observed the Cisco TAC constructing was in the identical enterprise park because the manufacturing unit I labored at. That’s after I began researching: What did it take to work there? I found Cisco Networking Academy and realized that getting 4 modules underneath my belt may very well be my ticket in. For the primary time, there was a transparent, accessible path ahead — one which didn’t require a standard background, simply dedication and curiosity.
I discovered a neighborhood college that supplied Cisco Networking Academy programs. So, I took out a low-interest mortgage from the manufacturing unit the place I used to be working and signed up. From the primary module, I used to be hooked. I cherished the hands-on labs and saved practising and finding out.
After I completed my third module, I utilized for my first job at Cisco TAC. I used to be so nervous throughout the English interview that I didn’t even make it to the technical spherical. What stayed with me wasn’t the rejection, however the sense that enchancment — not perfection — was what mattered. I practiced my English, defined technical ideas to associates, and after I had the 4th module, I utilized once more. The second time, I handed the technical check, however they had been on the lookout for somebody who wasn’t already employed. So, I made a giant choice: I saved up, left my manufacturing unit job, and targeted on getting my CCNA certification.
These months had been robust. I used to be unemployed, dwelling off financial savings, and turning down name heart positions. My household helped cowl my bills whereas I studied. After I lastly acquired to the third interview once more, every thing clicked. The English interview went easily, I handed the technical check, after which got here the decision — the one which modified every thing.
After I heard I acquired the job, I simply hugged my mother and cried. She’s been by my facet by way of each problem, so this felt like a win for each of us. I bear in mind my first day vividly. I used to be excited to be right here, however I used to be additionally scared, realizing a giant change was forward — and it might problem me in methods I couldn’t but think about.
Since becoming a member of Cisco in 2016, my profession has taken off in methods I by no means imagined. What made the distinction wasn’t simply the position itself — it was discovering management that genuinely supported my development and gave me the instruments to maintain reaching larger. Cisco encourages steady studying for absolutely anything you need to discover and presents totally different profession paths inside the firm. However greater than that, I’ve at all times had individuals round me who believed in me and empowered me to be my finest, most genuine self — even after I stumbled.
Over time, I earned superior safety certifications, moved from a contract position in TAC to an escalation group, and finally landed a direct position with Cisco in 2019.
In 2023, I earned my CCIE Safety. It was one of many hardest — and most rewarding — issues I’ve ever carried out. It took three makes an attempt, years of finding out, and numerous classes realized, crucial one being find out how to study from failure. Every try taught me one thing new — not simply technically, however about resilience and trusting the method.
I now earn a living from home, help my household, study issues I like, journey — issues I as soon as solely dreamed about. If it weren’t for the alternatives, advantages, and tradition Cisco supplied, I’d nonetheless be on that manufacturing unit ground. As an alternative, I stroll previous that reminiscence day-after-day, grateful for a way far I’ve come and for the truth I’ve constructed for myself and my household.
With Cisco’s help — and thru Inclusive Communities like WISE (Ladies in Science and Engineering) and Cisco Networking Academy — I even have alternatives to share my story with college students and girls contemplating careers in tech. If my journey helps even one particular person consider there’s a spot for them, it seems like coming full circle.
If there’s one factor I hope you are taking from my story, it’s that development doesn’t should comply with a straight line — and also you don’t should stroll it alone. I’d inform my youthful self, and anybody studying this, to not anticipate the “excellent” time. Go after what you’re keen on, belief the method, and hold shifting ahead, even when progress feels gradual.
I used to stroll by the Cisco TAC constructing and inform myself, “At some point, I’ll work there.” Now, I do. And day-after-day, I’m reminded that with the best help, room to study, and the braveness to maintain going, the long run you think about can develop into the life you’re dwelling.
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