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 every part I may need.
At some point, whereas taking my son to a party, 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 very least apply for the position to sharpen my interviewing expertise. Little did I do know, this surprising dialog would result in a improbable profession journey.
Once I went by the interview course of, there was one thing totally different about Cisco. Perhaps it was the nice and cozy greeting from the foyer ambassador or the enjoyment I felt watching engineers from the technical help heart (TAC) enjoying 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, every part in regards to the tradition of the corporate excited me. I gladly accepted the supply as a result of I needed Cisco to be my new residence. Nearly 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 Companies Operational Chief, supporting certainly one of 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 job supporting a crew accountable for the go-to-market technique for a number of of our Cisco Managed Companies. It was thrilling and scary all on the similar time, however I used to be up for the problem. I had an exceptional crew of excessive performers. All my instant direct experiences had been within the UK, and it was a wonderful alternative to increase my international management capabilities whereas additionally studying and stretching myself.
Then at some point, a rebalance occurred, and the crew was dismantled. It was an surprising flip of occasions for our crew, but it surely allowed me a possibility to maneuver into the position I’m in in the present day.
Now, I’m the Neighborhood Chief for greater than three thousand managers throughout the globe as a part of certainly one of our bigger enterprise models, 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 every part they should succeed. I additionally act because the neighborhood’s voice again to our senior management. One other beauty of the chance is working with a improbable crew of different international neighborhood leaders.
Creating a way of neighborhood for managers has been my candy spot. I by no means imagined having a possibility the place I may make the most of my ardour for serving to others whereas additionally creating alternatives to deal with management improvement, well-being, and so on. When you had instructed me 5 years in the past that I might have such a position, I most likely wouldn’t have believed it.
I really like the tradition of the corporate. Not solely do Cisco staff have the flexibility 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 neighborhood. Why does this stretch project excite me? Exterior of Cisco, I’ve a ardour for well being and wellness. This stretch project has given me the flexibility to take my ardour to the office. I created a worldwide well-being technique for the neighborhood, together with bodily, emotional/psychological, monetary, and social well-being. I now have a crew working and creating 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 Schools and Universities (HBCUs) Social Justice crew, serving as an Government Sponsor for 2 HBCUs. The flexibility to steadiness my day by day work actions with these stretch assignments offers me a satisfaction that I by no means anticipated in Company America.
I beforehand felt I had every part I may need at work, however now I understand how thrilling it’s when you’ll be able to work and have a ardour for it. It’s mentioned you’ve gotten the chance to have many careers at this firm. I’ve lived that by my Cisco journey. I might by no means have imagined that an surprising dialog and switch of occasions would enable me to nonetheless be at Cisco in a job impacting many individuals, whereas additionally doing stretch assignments which are 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, just isn’t the top of the journey.
That’s one of many the explanation why Cisco is really an awesome place to work.
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