This submit was authored by Kanak Sabhnani, a latest technical intern on the Safety Crew. 
What if I instructed you that the place the place I healed from an damage, found a brand new model of myself, and made lifelong buddies wasn’t a hospital or a school — however a tech firm?
Sounds unreal, proper? However that place exists, and for me, it was Cisco.
Let me take you again. Once I bought chosen for an internship at Cisco, I used to be thrilled. However beneath that pleasure was a wave of hysteria.
This was my first in-person internship — my earlier one had been utterly digital. The considered assembly new individuals, navigating an actual workplace, being away from household and buddies, and adjusting to life in Bangalore scared me. I’m an introvert by nature, so the concept of breaking out of my shell in a brand new atmosphere felt overwhelming.
However then I stepped onto Cisco’s campus.
There was a right away sense of heat. The vibe wasn’t what I anticipated from a company house — it felt extra like a full of life faculty campus. The onboarding actions organized by the Speed up crew had been genuinely partaking, like one involving scanning a card and asking individuals inquiries to earn factors. For somebody like me who normally avoids initiating conversations, this was a breakthrough. That day, I spoke to extra individuals than I had in months — and surprisingly, I loved it.
However life had different plans.
On simply my second day, whereas heading again to my shared housing, I met with an accident. A ligament tear in my ankle meant one and a half months of strict mattress relaxation. Being new to town, away from household, and unable to stroll, I used to be terrified.
My first thought was, “How will I handle work?” However Cisco didn’t simply give me an internship — it gave me a help system.
First, I reached out to my hiring supervisor. Not solely did he reply rapidly, however he known as me the identical day. He requested about my well being and supplied assist. That second reassured me that I wasn’t alone.
My supervisor was extremely type. Throughout our one-on-one, he instructed me to not fear about work and to deal with getting higher. It’s uncommon to search out managers who genuinely prioritize your well-being over duties, particularly whenever you’re nonetheless an intern.
Much more touching was the help from my co-interns. Regardless of barely realizing me, they stayed linked — checking in, serving to with day by day stuff, and simply being there to speak once I felt low. One night, a number of even stayed again with me for hours simply to assist me get a cab. It was in these little moments of care, I spotted Cisco wasn’t only a office. It was my secure house.
I’m an intern with the Cisco Safety crew. My position started with backend growth, and halfway by means of the internship, I started transitioning into frontend to construct full-stack abilities. My studying journey was well-structured. My supervisor prioritized my progress by specializing in upskilling me, which ready me to tackle duties with confidence.
Even whereas recovering from my damage, I stayed concerned by means of digital conferences. Weekly Thursday demos with my mentor, tech lead, and supervisor had been my anchors. They stored me motivated and jogged my memory that though I wasn’t there in particular person, I used to be nonetheless meaningfully contributing.
As soon as I returned to the workplace, the whole lot felt brighter. The social occasions, chai socials, jam periods on the Vedic Tea Spot, and enjoying pool with buddies — all of it helped me really feel like myself once more. Not solely did I heal bodily, however emotionally too.
Right here’s what I’ve discovered:
- Don’t underestimate the ability of a supportive atmosphere. At Cisco, individuals transcend roles — they care.
- When you’re ever in a tricky scenario — whether or not it’s beginning a brand new job or going by means of a private setback — the best crew could make all of the distinction.
- Be part of Cisco for the tech, but additionally for the individuals who’ll examine in on you, cheer on your small wins, and be there whenever you want somebody.
- Therapeutic doesn’t all the time occur in silence. Typically, it occurs in laughter-filled hallways, heartfelt one-on-ones, and late-night chats with teammates who develop into buddies.
- I didn’t simply study tech at Cisco — I discovered how robust I may very well be once I had the best individuals round me.
That’s why I #LoveWhereYouWork. As a result of right here, I didn’t simply work. I healed, grew, and found a brand new model of myself. And that’s one thing I’ll carry with me perpetually.
Are you prepared to find a brand new model of your self, too? Take a look at profession alternatives right here.
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