10 Reflections and Learnings From My Transformative First Yr and a Half at Cisco


I’m dedicated to altering the world for the higher. My life is devoted to that mission. I joined Cisco a 12 months and a half in the past due to the corporate’s ardour for purpose-driven work, and my journey up to now has been transformational.

Micaela a blond woman smiles in front of a plant wall with a blue neon sign reading Powered by Purpose at Cisco Live's Purpose Pavilion. She wears a blue shirt over a blue sweater, a blue maxi skirt, a gold necklace, and brown loafers, with a green lanyard that holds a Cisco Live badge.At the moment, I’m a member of the Individuals, Coverage & Objective (3P) FLEX Rising Leaders Program, which is a management rotational program for early-in-career people to discover careers throughout the varied 3P groups.

By this program, I’ve had such impactful and assorted experiences, from rising Networking Academy’s pupil inhabitants (Cisco’s largest company social duty initiative!) to supporting Cisco’s Technique, Improvement, and Governance staff on varied purposeful tasks, and not too long ago, changing into the Chief of Workers for Leslie Gordon, the Vice President of the Workplace of Accessibility. I’ve saved VERY busy and discovered a TON.

So, in honor of working at Cisco for a 12 months and half now (!!), I need to share a few of my reflections and learnings from my time in company America. I don’t assume I’m certified to provide recommendation but, however I hope anybody studying will come away understanding that A) we early-in-career people undergo lots of the identical issues, and B) we encourage honesty about our office experiences!

1. Earlier than assembly with somebody for the primary time, look them up.

It’s underrated how a lot somewhat bit of non-public data can assist a relationship or challenge alongside.

2. Taking VTO feels bizarre.

It’s exhausting to step away from the tasks I’m concerned in, particularly after I know everybody continues to be working whereas I’m out or might have one thing from me. However my leaders are extremely supportive. Due to my feelings, I’m grateful Cisco has company-wide shutdowns, the place we will all recharge with out worrying about lacking any work.

3. When working within the distant and hybrid world, take enjoyable calls!

We frequently miss water cooler speak once we are working in several places, and though further calls may really feel daunting, they’ll find yourself being energizing and create nearer relationships with colleagues. I like doing 1:1s with my fellow FLEXers, whether or not we’re chatting about rotations, popular culture, or our weekend plans—they’re an effective way to recharge. Then, it’s much more enjoyable to catch up in individual!

Two young women Micaela blond and her friend from the Flex program Kathy brunette are smiling and standing in front of a graphic SUMMER HOUSE presented by Cisco sign The sign features a grid of illustrated avatars with various faces Both women are wearing dark sweatshirts with the word flex in colorful letters
Kathy and Micaela collectively at Flex Week after having months of digital 11s

4. Community, community, community.

(It’s exhausting! And scary! However SO value it.)

5. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to your skip stage!

There’s a lot to be taught from them, and other people usually love mentoring. The skip stage for my second rotation was Elaine Mason, Senior Vice President of Technique, Improvement & Governance (SDG). I used to be extremely impressed (and grateful!) together with her willingness to provide me recommendation and steering. I’m having the identical expertise with my present skip stage, Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impression Officer. Each leaders are additionally FLEX Government Sponsors (dedicating much more time to help early-in-career expertise!), and are examples of the numerous Cisco leaders who go above and past to make themselves accessible to their wider groups.

6. Volunteer when potential.

I didn’t volunteer sufficient this 12 months. I’m engaged on that for subsequent 12 months, particularly as a result of Cisco offers us 80 hours of paid time without work known as “Time2Give” the place we will volunteer with organizations or causes we really feel enthusiastic about. And sure, that is IN ADDITION (!!) to our VTO!!! Can we pause for a second there and take into consideration how COOL that’s?!

7. When delivering tough information for a challenge, attempt to finish on a optimistic word.

You will need to have the ability to talk exhausting information, however keep targeted in your targets and preserve issues transferring ahead. Optimistic outlooks are key!

8. This can be debatable, however I’ve discovered that saying “sure” 98% of the time AND delivering on that “sure” has actually helped me construct belief with others.

For instance, I not too long ago mentioned “sure” to attending Cisco Dwell, Cisco’s annual international convention for IT professionals, trade leaders, and tech lovers to discover the newest improvements, as a Cisco Disaster Response volunteer. Though I had by no means been to Cisco Dwell earlier than, and being in Las Vegas for 4 days sounded intimidating, I went and had the most effective weeks ever! Plus, I bought to spend so much of time in Cisco’s NERV truck. (Test it out! It’s one in all coolest issues about Cisco.)Micaela and some of the Crisis Response Team at Cisco Live The photo shows six people five men and one woman standing in a line with arms crossed posing in front of a colorful Cisco sign at Cisco Live They are wearing matching blue shirts and name badges on green lanyards

9. Work is totally different than something I’ve skilled in my life.

This can be a marathon for the following 40 years, the place I’ll proceed to be taught the idea of small wins and have fun them once they occur! Endurance is essential on this skilled world.

10. And final, however definitely not least: Work is vital, however the relationships in life exterior of labor are REALLY vital.

Being at an organization like Cisco has proven me the fantastic thing about having work-life stability—together with benefiting from Cisco’s “Days for Me”—which they provide us as an organization, as soon as 1 / 4, to assist us reset and join with what issues most exterior of labor.

I’m so grateful for the help throughout my workforce journey up to now, and I’m much more grateful to be at Cisco. I can’t wait to return again in ten years and share every thing else I’ll be taught alongside the way in which!

Which studying do you join with probably the most? Go away a remark and share!

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