In case you had instructed me as a child operating round Cisco’s San Jose headquarters that I’d at some point construct my profession right here, I most likely would’ve believed you, however solely as a result of Cisco has at all times been part of my life. My dad has labored at Cisco for so long as I can keep in mind, and a few of my earliest recollections embody sitting on the sofa with my sister, “serving to” him examine for his CCIE — at age three. So technically, my Cisco journey began earlier than I may even spell Cisco.
However formally, my journey started in 2018 after I walked into Cisco’s New York Metropolis Penn1 workplace as a highschool scholar for the Cisco Excessive STEM Externship Program, a two-week crash course on the earth of Cisco, expertise, and what it appears prefer to construct a significant profession right here. I utilized as a result of I used to be curious. I needed to grasp what made my dad keep for therefore a few years, and why my sister selected to begin her profession right here too.
The externship wasn’t simply publicity to STEM. It was my first glimpse into Cisco’s tradition, which I discovered to be a group of people that genuinely need you to develop, discover, and ask each query conceivable. Throughout this system, we offered, practiced gentle expertise, realized to code, met leaders, spoke with engineers within the area, and obtained an actual really feel for what “Cisco life” appeared like. By the tip, I knew I needed to be again sometime as a full-time worker.
For the following 4 years of school, I interned each summer time whereas learning at Rutgers Enterprise Faculty. Every internship gave me the possibility to attempt on completely different “future variations” of myself: options engineer, account supervisor, IoT specialist, you identify it. I shadowed groups throughout the corporate, everybody equally as passionate, testing out what I liked and was good at, like presenting and staying curious to maintain up with the ever-changing expertise panorama, and simply as importantly, what I didn’t love. Networking in significant methods allowed me to listen to unimaginable tales, successes, and failures, making me really feel much less afraid to take dangers myself and deal with why I really like what I do. Not many school college students get that sort of hands-on profession exploration at a single firm, however Cisco creates house for it. They encourage it.
After graduating, I packed up and moved to North Carolina for the Cisco Gross sales Affiliate Program (CSAP). It was a memorable 9 months, as anybody who’s gone by way of this system will let you know, the place I networked with staff and leaders throughout gross sales to determine which space was the perfect match. The extraordinary, deep trainings gave me an ideal overview of what I wanted to know earlier than going into the sector, and the arrogance to have actual buyer conversations. I additionally met a number of the kindest and smartest folks, making recollections inside and out of doors of the workplace, turning into lifelong pals. After finishing this system, I joined Cisco’s Service Supplier phase as an Account Govt centered on Providers & Shopping for Packages, the place I’ve spent the final three years.
However all through all these job rotations, trainings, and profession adjustments, one thread by no means disappeared: the Cisco Excessive Externship Program.
Leaning on the recollections of everybody who helped me throughout my time in this system, even within the busiest a part of the 12 months, I began volunteering as quickly as I joined Cisco full time. Remembering how a lot this system had set me up for my profession at Cisco, and figuring out firsthand its success, I ultimately joined the primary management staff to assist run it — and it’s been some of the significant elements of my Cisco expertise.
The externship was paused nationwide after COVID attributable to funding, however many people on the NYC staff had skilled its influence ourselves. So, with the help of leaders, volunteers, and a group that really cares concerning the subsequent technology of STEM expertise, we saved this system alive regionally, giving contributors the possibility to satisfy superior Cisco people, good friends like them, and naturally, be taught if and the way STEM pursuits them. Now, after years of labor, this system is increasing once more, this time to RTP and Austin, beginning in summer time 2026, reflecting how management helps our success and what we actually imagine in.
Getting to assist construct this system that launched my very own profession has felt like the whole lot coming full circle. Each summer time we meet a brand new group of highschool college students who remind me a lot of myself at that age — excited, curious, uncertain of what the long run appears like, however desperate to soak in each second. Watching them uncover their pursuits, develop their confidence, and film themselves in STEM is among the most rewarding experiences I’ve had at Cisco.
If there’s one factor I would like folks to learn about working right here, it’s this: Cisco invests in folks. Not simply staff, however households, college students, communities, and the pipeline of expertise coming after us. They make room so that you can discover, to pivot, to dream greater, and to carry others together with you.
Seven years in the past, I walked into Cisco as a highschool scholar simply making an attempt to determine what a profession in tech meant. At present, I get to construct that very same basis for the following technology, whereas rising my very own profession in methods I by no means may’ve imagined.
And to me, that’s what makes Cisco particular. It’s not simply the place I work. It’s the place I grew up, and the place I get to assist others start their very own tales, too.
Prepared to begin your story at an organization that invests in your development from day one? Uncover your path and discover your match on the Cisco Careers web site right now!
