This publish was authored by Khushi Saxena, a technical consulting engineer intern on the Buyer Expertise Group.
I by no means imagined {that a} international big like Cisco would discover somebody like me — but right here I’m, dwelling proof that abilities matter greater than background. 
Coming from a completely non-technical background, my first yr of faculty felt like getting into a very completely different world. Whereas others appeared to have a head begin, speaking about information constructions, initiatives, and hackathons like second nature, I used to be nonetheless attempting to wrap my head across the fundamentals. It was overwhelming, to say the least. I bear in mind sitting in my first programming class, struggling to know easy syntax whereas others breezed by means of problem-solving. There have been moments after I puzzled if I had made the correct selection and if I used to be actually lower out for this. However as a substitute of letting it intimidate me, I made a decision I’d put within the work, bridge the hole, and get on par with everybody else. And so, I spent countless nights studying, practising, and pushing myself past what I assumed I used to be able to.
It was in my second yr that I first got here throughout Cisco. Till then, I had solely heard of it as a world tech big, however the extra I discovered about its work in networking, safety, and innovation, the extra fascinated I grew to become. It shortly grew to become considered one of my dream firms, not simply due to its status however due to the form of affect it was making on the earth of expertise. I knew that if I ever acquired the chance, I wished to be a part of one thing like that.
For me, moving into a very good firm wasn’t nearly fulfilling a dream — it was a necessity. My household had confronted monetary struggles, and I knew that securing a steady, well-paying job would change all the pieces. I carried that duty with me by means of each late-night research session, each rejection, and each problem I confronted. I wasn’t simply doing this for myself — I used to be doing it to make sure a greater future for my household.
Quick ahead to my closing yr, and that chance got here knocking within the type of Cisco Ideathon 2024, a contest that challenges college students to resolve real-world issues, testing their technical abilities, creativity, and drawback solving-abilities. I began having doubts about myself — would I even stand an opportunity in opposition to candidates from extra famend establishments? However Cisco’s hiring course of proved that expertise speaks louder than labels. Cisco assessed me based mostly on my abilities, with out contemplating different elements, which was an enormous testomony to all my efforts up to now. I used to be evaluated purely on my skills, and for the primary time, I felt really acknowledged for my potential.
After I acquired my internship + full-time provide, I used to be overwhelmed with feelings and couldn’t assist however cry. It wasn’t nearly getting a job — it was validation that arduous work, persistence, and fervour matter greater than the place you come from. All through the method, all that Cisco cared about was what I may deliver to the desk. And that made all of the distinction.
Now that I’ve been a part of Cisco, I can confidently say — it’s all the pieces I hoped for and extra. From day one, I felt welcomed and valued. Not like the normal company tradition I had imagined, Cisco fosters an atmosphere that encourages studying, collaboration, and innovation. One of many issues that stunned me essentially the most was the work-life stability. I had heard horror tales of burnout within the tech trade, however Cisco genuinely prioritizes worker well-being. In actual fact, we even get a ‘Day for Me’ — a devoted time without work for all staff globally to recharge, concentrate on ourselves, and step away from work with out utilizing our private depart. It’s a easy but highly effective initiative that exhibits how a lot the corporate values its staff’ psychological well being and private time. There’s flexibility, a supportive work tradition, and an emphasis on private progress.
One of the best half? I’m already getting the chance to work on significant initiatives. Other than my common work, I’ve additionally participated in company social duty (CSR) initiatives — Cisco’s method of giving again to the neighborhood. I had the prospect to design posters for most cancers consciousness, create greeting playing cards for most cancers sufferers, and even paint water bowls for stray animals. With the ability to contribute to such impactful initiatives has been extremely fulfilling. On daily basis is a brand new studying expertise, and I’m continuously surrounded by good minds prepared to assist and information me. I’m not simply one other intern right here — I’m handled as an integral a part of the staff.
If there’s one factor my journey has taught me, it’s this: by no means let the place you come from outline the place you possibly can go. Irrespective of your background, when you’ve got the talents, the drive, and the willingness to study, nothing can cease you. The highway could not all the time be simple, however belief me, it’s value it.
To each pupil on the market doubting themselves — know this: your expertise speaks louder than labels. Continue learning, hold pushing, and when the correct alternative comes, seize it with each fingers. As a result of if I can do it, so are you able to. And, for that I’ll all the time be grateful to Cisco.
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