Early in my profession, I believed onerous work alone would get me observed and promoted. However, over the course of my profession journey, I discovered that every one in all us wants a sponsor who actively advocates for us. Throughout my life, I noticed my mother and father giving again to our neighborhood, which impressed me to proceed of their footsteps. Through Cisco, I’ve naturally discovered methods to mix mentorship and giving again by means of numerous management roles.
Originally, I needed to turn into a school professor in arithmetic, however I made a decision to comply with my mother and father’ recommendation and reluctantly selected to pursue a grasp’s diploma in pc science. Right after faculty, I used to be recruited as a customer support engineer for a startup in Chennai, India. I used to be the one girl on the complete staff. At the time, individuals have been impressed and stunned {that a} girl may very well be in a technical assist position.
I constructed up my abilities in roles as a buyer assist engineer and far-reaching workplace supervisor and was observed for my work ethic. I used to be referred to Cisco and joined the corporate as an administrative assistant.
Today, I function an engineering mission supervisor within the Cisco Networking group and am additionally a worldwide co-lead for ICON: Indians Connecting Network, an Inclusive Community—what Cisco calls Employee Resource Groups—to assist others like me. Cisco is an ardent supporter of Inclusive Communities, and I’m fortunate to co-lead one.
In 2019, I took up the management position of the Cisco High School Shadow Program (CHSSP). When its chief on the time was prepared to maneuver on, having been one of many organizers for my staff, I used to be completely satisfied and excited to tackle the management position. As the worldwide co-lead of ICON, I merged this system beneath ICON as a part of our Community Outreach and Mentoring pillar, which I’m very pleased with carrying out.
CHSSP started by internet hosting college students at Cisco campuses, however because the starting of the pandemic, it has turn into digital, accepting highschool college students from throughout North America. The program is designed for college students from communities with much less entry to STEM who wish to study extra about STEM fields however haven’t had the alternatives to discover them of their faculties and communities or is perhaps intimidated by them. Through this system, we offer highschool juniors and seniors related, real-world publicity to purposes of STEM whereas making ready them for our society’s future technological wants. The college students get a singular alternative to find out about Cisco’s work surroundings and tradition. We hope to encourage these college students to additional delve into their pursuits and pursue their targets whereas serving to Cisco construct its Emerging Talent pipeline. As of 2023, this system will now be referred to as Cisco Career Exploration (CCE) to raised match its curriculum and objective.
This previous 12 months, we had a scholar from a rural neighborhood with a 4.3 GPA and a robust love for pc science. He spent all his faculty summers working in a vineyard together with his mother and father. One of our staff members despatched me his resume, and we instantly began the method of admitting him into this system. Helping hard-working college students like him by means of packages like this can be a means for me to provide others what I really feel fortunate to have had myself: unimaginable sponsors who’ve at all times supplied me with assist, suggestions, recommendation, and inspiration.
Over the final 10 years, Cisco has supported me by offering many studying alternatives by means of numerous management packages and conferences which have helped develop me personally and professionally. I’ve additionally had many alternatives to fulfill numerous individuals from all ranges at Cisco, together with executives and friends throughout totally different enterprise capabilities. I’m glad for the cross-functional publicity and networking as a result of, with out my colleagues, I’d not be the place I’m at present.
Are you able to form the long run with us? Find the position for you.
Share: