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Community school wasn’t a part of my plan. Actually, I didn’t actually have a plan in any respect. I ended up at Diablo Valley College as a result of it was handy, inexpensive, and truthfully, I simply wanted a spot to start out. At the time, I wasn’t positive what I needed to review or how the subsequent few years would look. Most of all, I by no means imagined it resulting in a possibility I didn’t even know existed: interning at a Fortune 500 firm as a group school scholar.
My Cisco Journey Begins
After deciding to main in enterprise, I heard about Handshake, a college-centric profession web site. With some design expertise already underneath my belt, I made a decision to present my new profession a shot. After shopping tons of listings, one job stood out … Marketing Specialist Intern at Cisco. To my nice shock, I used to be really eligible to use! Soon after, my cellphone rang. I used to be invited to take part in an evaluation middle consisting of a behavioral interview, a presentation, and a workforce train. With only one weekend to organize, I left with satisfaction, figuring out I did my finest. I’ll always remember the second I refreshed my inbox and noticed the supply letter. I stared on the display in disbelief. Me? At Cisco?
From the beginning, I knew Cisco’s early expertise advertising and marketing program, Amplify, was particular. What I found as soon as I joined was that its flexibility was a game-changer. Interns can return for a number of summers throughout completely different groups, and after your remaining summer time, you’re thought-about for the full-time Amplify program. There’s a saying right here: “one company, many careers,” and thru Amplify, I used to be getting a style of it. Plus, the help system is unimaginable. Each intern will get a full-time Amplifier buddy, a mentor, a workforce supervisor, and a program supervisor. It really felt like the proper match.
Finding my Footing
At first, I felt on high of the world. Then imposter syndrome began to creep in. “Did they really mean to hire me?” I used to be assured, but additionally conscious that I had much less formal expertise than my friends. Luckily, my supervisor, Shonya, helped me regain my focus and acknowledge strengths that I couldn’t even see in myself. Cisco is a big firm however the tradition right here is so welcoming and encourages questions, that I began to thrive very quickly. Specialized trainings and interactive onboarding helped me stand up to hurry, and earlier than I knew it, we have been diving into the notorious intern-led readout undertaking. My workforce was tasked with presenting a data-backed optimization plan for Cisco’s paid-search efforts to a stay viewers of greater than 500 folks on Cisco TV. I hadn’t even offered to 50 folks earlier than — how would I do 500? I used to be scared, however I knew my help system had my again. When the day lastly rolled round, it was all the things I may’ve requested for, and a lot extra. (Shoutout to Yazeed, Ashley, Bella, Riley, and Brooke for being superb teammates!)
Discovering My Path at Cisco
Now, again for my second summer time, I’m on a brand new workforce, benefiting from skilled growth programs, and specializing in technique — the realm I’ve found I’m most obsessed with. The great thing about Amplify and Cisco is that you would be able to develop in new instructions, discover completely different roles, and discover the work that really excites you. Even as an intern, I’ve made actual impression by being perceptive and artistic in bettering processes. That’s why I like the place I work: Cisco sees your potential, invests in your development, and allows you to deliver your genuine self to all the things you do.
Embrace Your Potential
Looking again, I can see simply how far this expertise has taken me. I’ve graduated from group school, returned to Cisco for my second summer time, and have been accepted to my dream college, UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. It feels surreal.
My story reminds us that expertise doesn’t all the time comply with a standard path; it’s in all places, typically hidden in plain sight. With the fitting help, sufficient curiosity, and alternative, I imagine anybody can develop into somebody extraordinary. Programs like Amplify align completely with Cisco’s Purpose to energy an inclusive future for all. My communication and group abilities have matured, and people essential moments even helped form my software to UC Berkeley.
If you’re contemplating making use of to Cisco, my recommendation is straightforward: embrace your distinctive path, comply with your curiosity, and shoot for the celebrities. Because typically, one surprising “yes” can change all the things.
Let’s embrace your distinctive path! Check out profession alternatives now.
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