In undergrad at East Carolina University, I stumbled throughout Cisco Live.
Although I used to be a communications main inquisitive about journalism and mass media, I used to be conversant in the profitable alternatives within the Raleigh-Durham space at numerous tech firms and I needed to land a terrific job at certainly one of them sometime. Cisco was the second firm I researched. The very first thing I noticed on the homepage was Cisco Live. I used to be intrigued by the collaboration with the featured firms that 12 months, photos of the varied attendees, and, as elementary as this may increasingly sound, the colours had been phenomenal. I had no clue what this occasion nor the corporate was about, however the touchdown web page was so inviting, I instantly knew I needed to be part of that world!
When I lastly joined Cisco as a Technical Consulting Engineer in CX, Cisco Live was nonetheless prime of thoughts. On the primary day when the chance arose to ask questions, my quick query was, “How do you qualify to attend Cisco Live?” The reply I heard was unsatisfying which made me much more decided to seek out my approach to that convention.
I discovered my alternative once I got here throughout the Women of Cisco Executive Shadow Program, the place I noticed the sorts of executives whom I might shadow. I used to be VERY intentional in my software video and particularly mentioned, “I want to shadow someone who is heavily involved in Cisco Live and travel to the conference with their team. If I cannot be paired with that exec, I’ll withdraw my application and try again the next round.”
I grew to become the primary “shadow” of Heather Henderson Thomas, who had just lately grow to be a director of occasion advertising, or as I might name her, “the Director of All Things Cisco Live!” Heather had beforehand participated within the WOC Global Executive Shadow Program as a mentee herself, so she totally understood how this system might affect my profession and expertise at Cisco. Now that she was an govt, Heather assured me she was totally ready to satisfy the position as mentor and provides me an unforgettable expertise.
Oh, how she lived as much as that promise!
During certainly one of our bi-weekly check-ins within the early planning phases of Cisco Live 2024, Heather requested what I in the end anticipated to get out of my mentorship together with her. I discovered a very long time in the past to be direct when answering questions. So, I mentioned, “I want to attend Cisco Live!” Her response was, “You’ve got it. Cisco Live! IN-PERSON it is.” I used to be elated!
As a part of my duties whereas shadowing Heather, I participated in creating and activating the FanCave gamification challenge. This digital expertise allowed eventgoers to log in to their Cisco Live app and take an interactive quiz that outlined their character with names like “Posh Puppy,” “Fearless Fun Seeker,” or “Galactic Go-Getter.” Then, primarily based on their outcomes, they acquired suggestions for actions in Vegas, from beautiful culinary choices to adventurous actions to stress-free rendezvous—there was one thing for everybody.
I initially anticipated to solely work with the crew throughout the convention, however Heather inspired me to immerse myself into the expertise as if I had been a visitor. With the yellow all-access “Event Staff” lanyard and badge she supplied me, I obliged definitely! Amidst that, one other director of occasions, who I’d beforehand met a few 12 months in the past, gave me a each day wristband to the unique IT Leadership hub house. My entry really was limitless!
The speaker classes I attended had been empowering and impactful. My favourite was the keynote session with Cisco’s CEO, Chuck Robbins, and Tom Brady. With my particular entry, I used to be allowed to reach early to shadow Heather’s crew as they ready to go stay. Meeting and watching the affiliate manufacturing crew work was tremendous cool. I even acquired an opportunity to meet up with my favourite Cisco TV colleague who allowed me to face together with her to look at some pre-show Executive Leadership Team interviews.
As the sector crammed with excited eventgoers, I stood in entrance of the row the place each member of the ELT could be seated. Before I knew it, they had been making their methods to their seats.
As I took a sip of espresso, I seemed as much as see Chuck Robbins standing lower than three ft away. Initially, I made a decision to not introduce myself, however the alternative was too excellent to withstand. There wasn’t a crowd round him, nor was he in dialog with anybody—he was simply there. I knew I’d remorse not profiting from this second, so I launched myself, we shared fun, and captured the second. It was most positively the icing on the cake of the complete expertise.
Outside of the convention itself, the alternatives had been innumerable. My expertise as a “first-timer” was featured on the @WeAreCisco Instagram web page, and recording that was a lot enjoyable! I met so many nice folks I’d solely ever spoken to by way of Webex, members of senior management, outdated associates and new colleagues alike, and took part in superb Inclusive Community actions and occasions. I even had the final word concert-goer expertise on the Cisco Live Celebration, the place I acquired an unique wristband to the Champions Club for nice meals and the right view of Elton John.
Heather described herself as “a rookie exec” within the WOC Global Executive Shadow Program, however there was nothing “rookie” about this expertise AT ALL. My expectations of Cisco Live had been surpassed, and so was my expertise as a mentee.
Opportunities like these are simply one of many many explanation why Cisco is a superb place to work. Whether it’s by way of mentorship packages, revolutionary tasks, or unbelievable occasions like Cisco Live, Cisco is a spot the place you may develop, study, and obtain your final objectives. They may become higher than you ever imagined.
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