Once I entered the workforce, Cisco was by no means on my radar. I used to be complacent on the firm I labored for and had each intention of retiring from that firm. I felt I had the whole lot I might need.
Sooner or later, whereas taking my son to a birthday celebration, I had a dialog with one other girl who labored for Cisco. As we exchanged dialogue, she invited me to discover her position and inspired me to use for an open Excessive Contact Operations Supervisor (HTOM) place. I had no intentions of leaving the corporate I used to be working for, however I made a decision to at the least apply for the position to sharpen my interviewing expertise. Little did I do know, this sudden dialog would result in a incredible profession journey.
Once I went by means of the interview course of, there was one thing totally different about Cisco. Possibly it was the nice and cozy greeting from the foyer ambassador or the enjoyment I felt watching engineers from the technical help heart (TAC) taking part in within the sport room to let off steam. Or possibly it was the nap pods I witnessed, which allowed staff to take a nap to recharge their brains. No matter it was, the whole lot concerning the tradition of the corporate excited me. I gladly accepted the provide as a result of I wished Cisco to be my new dwelling. Virtually 15 years later, I’m nonetheless right here and loving it.
Though I began as a Excessive Contact Operations Supervisor, I had the chance to maneuver into varied roles throughout the firm, together with service supply roles. I used to be serving as a Providers Operational Chief, supporting one in all our gross sales territories, once I determined to take a leap of religion and accepted a place completely out of my consolation zone. I used to be promoted to Director and moved into a task supporting a crew chargeable for the go-to-market technique for a number of of our Cisco Managed Providers. It was thrilling and scary all on the identical time, however I used to be up for the problem. I had an exceptional crew of excessive performers. All my quick direct reviews had been within the UK, and it was a superb alternative to develop my international management capabilities whereas additionally studying and stretching myself.
Then in the future, a rebalance occurred, and the crew was dismantled. It was an sudden flip of occasions for our crew, but it surely allowed me a chance to maneuver into the position I’m in immediately.
Now, I’m the Neighborhood Chief for greater than three thousand managers throughout the globe as a part of one in all our bigger enterprise items, combining Operations and Buyer Expertise. On this position, I work with our enablement groups and Folks and Communities (HR) to make sure our managers have the whole lot they should succeed. I additionally act because the group’s voice again to our senior management. One other wonderful thing about the chance is working with a incredible crew of different international group leaders.
Creating a way of group for managers has been my candy spot. I by no means imagined having a chance the place I might make the most of my ardour for serving to others whereas additionally creating alternatives to deal with management improvement, well-being, and many others. If you happen to had informed me 5 years in the past that I might have this sort of position, I in all probability wouldn’t have believed it.
I really like the tradition of the corporate. Not solely do Cisco staff have the power to seek out roles that meet our strengths, however we even have the chance to serve in stretch assignments that align with our ardour. I used to be the International Co-Chief for Our Linked Black Professionals Inclusive Neighborhood for a few years. I now function the International Wellbeing Chief for the group. Why does this stretch project excite me? Outdoors of Cisco, I’ve a ardour for well being and wellness. This stretch project has given me the power to take my ardour to the office. I created a world well-being technique for the group, together with bodily, emotional/psychological, monetary, and social well-being. I now have a crew working and growing strategic applications particularly for our Inclusive Neighborhood because it pertains to these focus areas. As if that’s not enjoyable sufficient, I additionally work with our Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs) Social Justice crew, serving as an Government Sponsor for 2 HBCUs. The power to stability my every day work actions with these stretch assignments provides me a satisfaction that I by no means anticipated in Company America.
I beforehand felt I had the whole lot I might need at work, however now I understand how thrilling it’s when you possibly can work and have a ardour for it. It’s mentioned you’ve got the chance to have many careers at this firm. I’ve lived that by means of my Cisco journey. I might by no means have imagined that an sudden dialog and switch of occasions would permit me to nonetheless be at Cisco in a task impacting many individuals, whereas additionally doing stretch assignments which can be so fulfilling. I really like what I do, and I’m excited to see the place this journey will take me sooner or later. I think this, by far, isn’t the top of the journey.
That’s one of many the explanation why Cisco is really a fantastic place to work.
Are you prepared to begin your Cisco profession journey? Discover a chance now.
Share:
