I’ll always remember the second my telephone rang and I heard these phrases, “Congratulations, we’d wish to give you the job.” I used to be sitting beside my mother and I burst into tears. It was greater than only a job provide — it was the belief of a dream I’d carried for years lastly coming true. My first response wasn’t simply pleasure — it was sheer reduction. Getting that decision to affix Cisco TAC had been extremely tough, and in that second, every part I had pushed by lastly felt value it.
Let me take you again a bit. My dad handed away once I was 11, my mother raised three daughters by herself, and cash was tight at residence. My work life began early, again in 2009, once I acquired my first job as a saleswoman promoting perfumes. I didn’t have my bachelor’s or technical diploma then, however I wanted to work and assist help my household. After that first job, I labored in a medical manufacturing unit — solely to be fired as a result of I used to be too gradual on the manufacturing line. So, I discovered one other manufacturing unit job.
I bear in mind listening to about Cisco in highschool. Moving into know-how and in the future working at Cisco grew to become a dream of mine. There have been technical excessive colleges in my space, however I used to be by no means the straight-A pupil they had been in search of. Nonetheless, I all the time beloved computer systems. As children, my Godfather gave us a pc and I beloved tinkering with it — breaking it, fixing it, and even combating off the occasional virus (Thanks, Limewire!). These little victories gave me a style for tech, even when I didn’t notice it on the time.
I knew the manufacturing unit was only a stepping stone whereas I figured issues out. Then, in the future on the bus, I seen the Cisco TAC constructing was in the identical enterprise park because the manufacturing unit I labored at. That’s once I began researching: What did it take to work there? I found Cisco Networking Academy and realized that getting 4 modules below my belt could possibly be my ticket in. For the primary time, there was a transparent, accessible path ahead — one which didn’t require a conventional background, simply dedication and curiosity.
I discovered an area college that provided Cisco Networking Academy programs. So, I took out a low-interest mortgage from the manufacturing unit the place I used to be working and signed up. From the primary module, I used to be hooked. I beloved the hands-on labs and stored working towards and finding out.
Once I completed my third module, I utilized for my first job at Cisco TAC. I used to be so nervous through the English interview that I didn’t even make it to the technical spherical. What stayed with me wasn’t the rejection, however the sense that enchancment — not perfection — was what mattered. I practiced my English, defined technical ideas to pals, and once I had the 4th module, I utilized once more. The second time, I handed the technical take a look at, however they had been in search of somebody who wasn’t already employed. So, I made an enormous choice: I saved up, left my manufacturing unit job, and centered on getting my CCNA certification.
These months had been powerful. I used to be unemployed, residing off financial savings, and turning down name middle positions. My household helped cowl my bills whereas I studied. Once I lastly acquired to the third interview once more, every part clicked. The English interview went easily, I handed the technical take a look at, after which got here the decision — the one which modified every part.
Once I heard I acquired the job, I simply hugged my mother and cried. She’s been by my aspect by each problem, so this felt like a win for each of us. I bear in mind my first day vividly. I used to be excited to be right here, however I used to be additionally scared, realizing an enormous change was forward — and it could problem me in methods I couldn’t but think about.
Since becoming a member of Cisco in 2016, my profession has taken off in methods I by no means imagined. What made the distinction wasn’t simply the function itself — it was discovering management that genuinely supported my development and gave me the instruments to maintain reaching greater. Cisco encourages steady studying for absolutely anything you need to discover and affords totally different profession paths throughout the firm. However greater than that, I’ve all the time had folks round me who believed in me and empowered me to be my finest, most genuine self — even once I stumbled.
Over time, I earned superior safety certifications, moved from a contract function in TAC to an escalation group, and ultimately landed a direct function with Cisco in 2019.
In 2023, I earned my CCIE Safety. It was one of many hardest — and most rewarding — issues I’ve ever executed. It took three makes an attempt, years of finding out, and numerous classes discovered, an important one being the right way to be taught from failure. Every try taught me one thing new — not simply technically, however about resilience and trusting the method.
I now make money working from home, help my household, be taught issues I like, journey — issues I as soon as solely dreamed about. If it weren’t for the alternatives, advantages, and tradition Cisco provided, I would nonetheless be on that manufacturing unit flooring. As an alternative, I stroll previous that reminiscence on daily basis, grateful for a way far I’ve come and for the truth I’ve constructed for myself and my household.
With Cisco’s help — and thru Inclusive Communities like WISE (Ladies in Science and Engineering) and Cisco Networking Academy — I even have alternatives to share my story with college students and ladies contemplating careers in tech. If my journey helps even one particular person consider there’s a spot for them, it seems like coming full circle.
If there’s one factor I hope you are taking from my story, it’s that development doesn’t should comply with a straight line — and also you don’t should stroll it alone. I might inform my youthful self, and anybody studying this, to not look ahead to the “good” time. Go after what you’re keen on, belief the method, and preserve transferring ahead, even when progress feels gradual.
I used to stroll by the Cisco TAC constructing and inform myself, “At some point, I’ll work there.” Now, I do. And on daily basis, I’m reminded that with the precise help, room to be taught, and the braveness to maintain going, the longer term you think about can develop into the life you’re residing.
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