From Challenges to Strengths: A Journey of Resilience and Growth at Cisco

Cisco is more than where I work — it’s the language I speak, the DNA I carry.

Since joining in 2015, my career has unfolded within Cisco’s ecosystem. I began in channel sales and evolved through multiple roles. Even when I stepped away for a year to explore the customer side with one of Cisco’s partners, it never felt like a goodbye, just a temporary detour.

That journey brought me back in 2022. While attending a conference, I reconnected with Cisco and discovered a new opportunity in the Security organization. It was a bold shift stepping into the role of Cybersecurity Sales Specialist, and as the only woman in this position in Saudi Arabia, it felt like uncharted territory.

At first, I hesitated. Cybersecurity seemed like an intimidating space I assumed was reserved for coders and technical experts. But once I stepped in, I discovered that this perception was a myth. Yes, the learning curve was steep, but far from impossible. I quickly realized that while certifications like CISSP can be helpful, they’re not mandatory to start. What mattered more was curiosity, courage, and a willingness to learn. I’ve always believed that if you truly set your mind to something, you can achieve it.

People learn differently. For me, real-world experience always trumps theory. While I explored materials and books, including the CISSP guide, what truly helped me grow was being in the field: observing, listening, joining meetings, and learning through active engagement. I was fortunate to be surrounded by mentors, especially a colleague who later became my manager. His guidance, along with the support of my team, gave me the confidence and foundation to thrive. I also practiced customer simulations, which sharpened both my technical acumen and storytelling skills.

Just as I was gaining confidence in this new role, life threw an unexpected challenge my way: a breast cancer diagnosis. It was a shocking moment, but early detection made all the difference. I took six months off for treatment and surgery. Those months were difficult, but they changed me forever.

Coming back to work was a milestone, not just a return to my job, but a rebirth. I felt stronger, more resilient, and more empowered. I realized I didn’t need to know everything, I needed to know how to ask, collaborate, and communicate. I leaned into the strengths that made me unique: my communication skills, my background as an English teacher, my experience across Cisco’s business. These became my superpowers.

I also learned that in cybersecurity sales, only about 20% of the work is purely technical. The remaining 80% is about people building trust, navigating complexity, and translating value. When I embraced that mindset, I began to truly add value both to the team and to our customers.

Best of all, I returned with a new appreciation for where I belonged, and who I had become. My journey at Cisco has taken me through many roles and experiences, and each one has helped me grow. Today, I’ve come full circle, back in channel sales, now as a Partner Account Manager, with a renewed sense of purpose.

Cisco is a company that invests deeply in its people. I recently completed the JUMP Leadership Program, focused on empowering women leaders across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The experience was not only insightful, it was affirming. Listening to other women’s stories and exchanging perspectives reminded me how valuable it is to learn from one another.

That’s what makes Cisco special. It’s not just a workplace, it’s a community where you can stretch, evolve, and discover who you really are. I’m excited about this next chapter, confident that Cisco will continue to be the place where I grow into the best version of myself.

Do you want to discover the best version of yourself? Explore opportunities now.

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