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 conclusion of a dream I’d carried for years lastly coming true. My first response wasn’t simply pleasure — it was sheer aid. Getting that decision to hitch Cisco TAC had been extremely troublesome, and in that second, every little thing I had pushed by lastly felt value it.
Let me take you again a bit. My dad handed away after I was 11, my mother raised three daughters by herself, and cash was tight at residence. My work life began early, again in 2009, after I bought 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 assist my household. After that first job, I labored in a medical manufacturing facility — solely to be fired as a result of I used to be too gradual on the manufacturing line. So, I discovered one other manufacturing facility job.
I bear in mind listening to about Cisco in highschool. Stepping into expertise and someday working at Cisco grew to become a dream of mine. There have been technical excessive faculties in my space, however I used to be by no means the straight-A pupil they had been on the lookout for. Nonetheless, I all the time liked computer systems. As children, my Godfather gave us a pc and I liked 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 understand it on the time.
I knew the manufacturing facility was only a stepping stone whereas I figured issues out. Then, someday on the bus, I seen the Cisco TAC constructing was in the identical enterprise park because the manufacturing facility I labored at. That’s after I began researching: What did it take to work there? I found Cisco Networking Academy and realized that getting 4 modules below my belt may very well be my ticket in. For the primary time, there was a transparent, accessible path ahead — one which didn’t require a standard background, simply dedication and curiosity.
I discovered an area college that supplied Cisco Networking Academy programs. So, I took out a low-interest mortgage from the manufacturing facility the place I used to be working and signed up. From the primary module, I used to be hooked. I liked the hands-on labs and saved practising and finding out.
Once I completed my third module, I utilized for my first job at Cisco TAC. I used to be so nervous throughout 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 after I had the 4th module, I utilized once more. The second time, I handed the technical check, however they had been on the lookout for somebody who wasn’t already employed. So, I made a giant choice: I saved up, left my manufacturing facility job, and centered on getting my CCNA certification.
These months had been robust. 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 bought to the third interview once more, every little thing clicked. The English interview went easily, I handed the technical check, after which got here the decision — the one which modified every little thing.
Once I heard I bought 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, figuring out a giant change was forward — and it will 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 wish to discover and presents totally different profession paths inside 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 after 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 performed. It took three makes an attempt, years of finding out, and numerous classes realized, crucial one being how you can be taught from failure. Every try taught me one thing new — not simply technically, however about resilience and trusting the method.
I now earn a living from home, assist 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 supplied, I’d nonetheless be on that manufacturing facility ground. As a substitute, I stroll previous that reminiscence daily, grateful for a way far I’ve come and for the truth I’ve constructed for myself and my household.
With Cisco’s assist — 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 girls contemplating careers in tech. If my journey helps even one particular person consider there’s a spot for them, it appears like coming full circle.
If there’s one factor I hope you are taking from my story, it’s that development doesn’t should observe 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 forward to the “excellent” time. Go after what you’re keen on, belief the method, and hold transferring ahead, even when progress feels gradual.
I used to stroll by the Cisco TAC constructing and inform myself, “In the future, I’ll work there.” Now, I do. And daily, I’m reminded that with the appropriate assist, room to be taught, and the braveness to maintain going, the long run you think about can change into the life you’re residing.
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