I’ll always remember the second my cellphone rang and I heard these phrases, “Congratulations, we’d prefer 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 supply — it was the belief of a dream I’d carried for years lastly coming true. My first response wasn’t simply pleasure — it was sheer reduction. Getting that decision to affix Cisco TAC had been extremely troublesome, and in that second, every part I had pushed by means of 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 house. 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 help 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 keep in mind listening to about Cisco in highschool. Stepping into expertise and sooner or later working at Cisco turned a dream of mine. There have been technical excessive colleges 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 beloved computer systems. As youngsters, my Godfather gave us a pc and I beloved tinkering with it — breaking it, fixing it, and even preventing off the occasional virus (Thanks, Limewire!). These little victories gave me a style for tech, even when I didn’t notice it on the time.
I knew the manufacturing facility was only a stepping stone whereas I figured issues out. Then, sooner or later 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 beneath my belt might be my ticket in. For the primary time, there was a transparent, accessible path ahead — one which didn’t require a conventional background, simply dedication and curiosity.
I discovered a neighborhood college that provided 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 beloved the hands-on labs and saved working towards and learning.
After I completed my third module, I utilized for my first job at Cisco TAC. I used to be so nervous in the course of 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 an enormous choice: I saved up, left my manufacturing facility job, and centered on getting my CCNA certification.
These months had been powerful. I used to be unemployed, residing off financial savings, and turning down name middle positions. My household helped cowl my bills whereas I studied. After I lastly bought to the third interview once more, every part clicked. The English interview went easily, I handed the technical check, after which got here the decision — the one which modified every part.
After I heard I bought the job, I simply hugged my mother and cried. She’s been by my aspect by means of each problem, so this felt like a win for each of us. I keep in mind my first day vividly. I used to be excited to be right here, however I used to be additionally scared, figuring out an enormous 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 position itself — it was discovering management that genuinely supported my development and gave me the instruments to maintain reaching increased. Cisco encourages steady studying for absolutely anything you wish to discover and presents totally different profession paths throughout 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 greatest, most genuine self — even after I stumbled.
Over time, I earned superior safety certifications, moved from a contract position in TAC to an escalation group, and ultimately landed a direct position with Cisco in 2019.
In 2023, I earned my CCIE Safety. It was one of many hardest — and most rewarding — issues I’ve ever achieved. It took three makes an attempt, years of learning, and numerous classes realized, an important one being study from failure. Every try taught me one thing new — not simply technically, however about resilience and trusting the method.
I now do business from home, help my household, study issues I really like, journey — issues I as soon as solely dreamed about. If it weren’t for the alternatives, advantages, and tradition Cisco provided, I would nonetheless be on that manufacturing facility flooring. As a substitute, I stroll previous that reminiscence every single day, grateful for the way far I’ve come and for the truth I’ve constructed for myself and my household.
With Cisco’s help — 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 ladies contemplating careers in tech. If my journey helps even one individual imagine there’s a spot for them, it seems like coming full circle.
If there’s one factor I hope you’re taking from my story, it’s that development doesn’t must observe a straight line — and also you don’t must stroll it alone. I might inform my youthful self, and anybody studying this, to not look ahead to the “excellent” time. Go after what you like, belief the method, and maintain shifting ahead, even when progress feels gradual.
I used to stroll by the Cisco TAC constructing and inform myself, “Someday, I’ll work there.” Now, I do. And every single day, I’m reminded that with the fitting help, room to study, and the braveness to maintain going, the longer term you think about can develop into the life you’re residing.
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