I’m dedicated to altering the world for the higher. My life is devoted to that mission. I joined Cisco a yr and a half in the past due to the corporate’s ardour for purpose-driven work, and my journey to date has been transformational.
Presently, I’m a member of the Folks, Coverage & Function (3P) FLEX Rising Leaders Program, which is a management rotational program for early-in-career people to discover careers inside the varied 3P groups.
By way of 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, Growth, and Governance group on varied purposeful initiatives, and just lately, changing into the Chief of Employees 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 yr 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 offer recommendation but, however I hope anybody studying will come away understanding that A) we early-in-career people undergo most 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 just a little bit of private info will help a relationship or venture alongside.
2. Taking VTO feels bizarre.
It’s exhausting to step away from the initiatives I’m concerned in, particularly once I know everybody continues to be working whereas I’m out or may 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 regularly miss water cooler speak once we are working in several areas, and though additional calls would possibly really feel daunting, they’ll find yourself being energizing and create nearer relationships with colleagues. I really 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.](https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2024/10/Micaela-and-Kathy-scaled.jpeg)
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 study from them, and folks typically love mentoring. The skip stage for my second rotation was Elaine Mason, Senior Vice President of Technique, Growth & Governance (SDG). I used to be extremely impressed (and grateful!) together with her willingness to offer me recommendation and steering. I’m having the identical expertise with my present skip stage, Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President and Chief Social Influence Officer. Each leaders are additionally FLEX Government Sponsors (dedicating much more time to assist 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 yr. I’m engaged on that for subsequent yr, particularly as a result of Cisco provides us 80 hours of paid time without work referred to as “Time2Give” the place we will volunteer with organizations or causes we really feel obsessed with. 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 venture, attempt to finish on a constructive observe.
You will need to be capable to talk exhausting information, however keep targeted in your targets and hold issues transferring ahead. Constructive 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 just lately mentioned “sure” to attending Cisco Reside, Cisco’s annual world convention for IT professionals, business leaders, and tech lovers to discover the most recent improvements, as a Cisco Disaster Response volunteer. Though I had by no means been to Cisco Reside earlier than, and being in Las Vegas for 4 days sounded intimidating, I went and had among the best weeks ever! Plus, I acquired to spend so much of time in Cisco’s NERV truck. (Test it out! It’s one among coolest issues about Cisco.)
9. Work is completely different than something I’ve skilled in my life.
It is a marathon for the subsequent 40 years, the place I’ll proceed to study the idea of small wins and have a good time them once they occur! Endurance is essential on this skilled world.
10. And final, however actually not least: Work is necessary, however the relationships in life outdoors of labor are REALLY necessary.
Being at an organization like Cisco has proven me the fantastic thing about having work-life stability—together with making the most of 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 outdoors of labor.
I’m so grateful for the assist throughout my workforce journey to date, and I’m much more grateful to be at Cisco. I can’t wait to return again in ten years and share every little thing else I’ll study alongside the best way!
Which studying do you join with probably the most? Go away a remark and share!
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