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This put up was authored by Chirag Garg, a latest Software Engineering Intern who virtually didn’t apply — however ended up discovering his confidence, neighborhood, and profession path at Cisco.
Back in 2023, I used to be doing what most engineering college students do — making use of for internships, taking on-line assessments, and refreshing my inbox prefer it was my job. At first, I felt fairly assured. I had tasks below my belt, I’d labored laborious, and I believed I used to be prepared.
But then … the rejections began piling up.
One after one other.
It was discouraging, actually. I began questioning if I used to be actually minimize out for tech. Maybe I didn’t have “it.” Maybe I used to be simply one other résumé in a large pile. I bear in mind staring on the Cisco internship software and pondering, “There’s no way I’ll get in.”
But by some means, I satisfied myself to only click on submit.
That One Yes
When the choice record got here out, I didn’t even anticipate to see my identify, however there it was.
I used to be going to intern at Cisco.
That second shifted one thing in me. I felt like perhaps, simply perhaps, I belonged. I began brushing up on my abilities, revisiting fundamentals, diving into AI and techniques — making an attempt to be as prepared as potential.
Then got here May 2024, and my summer season internship at Cisco started.
Why Cisco Felt Different — and Why That Mattered
From the very first day, I knew Cisco was totally different. It wasn’t nearly work. It was about folks.
I met a crew that didn’t anticipate me to have all of the solutions. They didn’t make me really feel like I needed to show myself each second. Instead, they gave me one thing I didn’t even know I wanted — area — area to be taught, area to ask questions (even the foolish ones), area to develop with out worry of failing.
There have been so many little issues that made a huge effect, too. Like how somebody would at all times drop a studying useful resource simply after I was caught, or how informal tea breaks changed into deep discussions about profession objectives, and the way nobody made me really feel “like just an intern.”
We performed video games collectively, had random rant periods (sure, these assist), and shared laughs over issues that had nothing to do with code. It felt human. And for somebody who felt misplaced simply months earlier, that meant the whole lot.
The Ripple Effect
That summer season at Cisco didn’t simply impression my LinkedIn — it modified how I noticed myself.
I began taking part extra in faculty actions. I took on management roles. I grew to become the AI Lead for the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM CSS) chapter at my faculty, received a hackathon, and finally, bought a letter for a spring internship and a full-time supply from Cisco.
That one sure modified the whole lot. Cisco didn’t simply give me a stepping stone — it gave me a springboard. The incontrovertible fact that I might come again for one more internship after which transfer right into a full-time function confirmed me that at Cisco, development isn’t simply inspired — it’s potential. You don’t have to decide on one path. You’re given the liberty to discover the place you need to go, trusted to tackle new challenges, and given the help to really get there.
Starting the intern journey once more in spring felt acquainted — however in one of the simplest ways. I wasn’t the identical particular person I used to be a 12 months in the past. And Cisco wasn’t only a firm anymore — it felt like a spot I belonged.
#LoveWhereYouWork — And Being Trusted to Do It
As a Software Engineering Intern, I get to work on the intersection of techniques and AI — two evolving areas that genuinely problem and excite me. But actually? The better part isn’t simply the work. It’s how I’m trusted to do the work. I’ve had the liberty to make choices, the prospect to be taught from errors, and the help to ask, “Why not try this?”
That sort of tradition? It’s uncommon.
To Anyone Who’s Still Figuring It Out …
If you’re the place I used to be — watching job boards, feeling such as you’re falling behind, doubting your self — I need to say this: don’t quit on your self.
Apply for that function even if you happen to don’t really feel “ready.” Ask questions even if you happen to assume they’re primary. Take that probability, even if you happen to assume you received’t make it.
Because typically, all it takes is one sure.
Cisco was my sure. And in saying sure to me, they helped me say sure to myself.
Are you able to sure to a brand new alternative? Check out our careers right here!
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