Embracing Diversity and Growth: My Cisco Internship Experience

This post was authored by Richie Basile, a communications specialist intern on the Public Affairs Team.

Having no previous experience with tech companies, I really had no idea what an internship would be like at Cisco. I had done my due diligence and read up on the company culture, some key metrics for growth and all the other basic company knowledge I could get my hands on leading up to my June start date. And while I did have expectations and some goals to reach during the summer, I didn’t know what to expect, especially as a low-income college student with a multicultural background — my mom is from Colombia, my dad from Italy — and having lived in Colombia previously. I was a bit worried about fitting in. It turns out, nothing could prepare me for the fast-paced, eight-week experience here.

From day one, Cisco felt like somewhere I could really spread my wings. I’ve been working on the Public Affairs Team, and my fantastic manager and my incredibly supportive mentor have made this experience truly exceptional. They’ve been my guides, helping me navigate Cisco with all its exciting possibilities. One minute I’m collaborating on a project within our team, the next I’m partnering and having talks with folks from completely different departments. It’s like being on a tech-savvy version of “The Amazing Race.” What’s really struck me is how genuinely supportive everyone is, from my immediate team to colleagues across the company. They never hesitate to give you their time, no matter how busy their schedule, or lend an ear when you need it. It’s like having a whole company full of mentors with invaluable guidance.

Being a mile away from the RTP office has been a game-changer, too. Within the first few weeks of my start date, I found myself at a Durham Bulls baseball game with 45 other interns. We had awesome terrace seats, delicious food, free drinks, and the chance to chat with each other, discovering we were all sharing a mix of excitement about our new roles and a touch of nerves about fitting into Cisco’s culture. As the summer has gone on, I have met so many people that I otherwise would not have encountered just by being present and interacting in the office and having lunch at the cafe. There is always something happening on the first floor of Building 7 in RTP, where the interns are, so touching base with other sectors of Cisco there has been incredibly helpful for me in understanding the business and its functions even more.

I have also had the opportunity to join some of Cisco’s Inclusive Communities, which I highly recommend to anyone, especially those just starting out at Cisco or early in career. The Filipino Professional Network, Connected Black Professionals (CBP), and Conexión LatinX Network are the groups that I spent time with during this summer. I attended Cisco Radiate, a conference for Black professionals hosted by CBP, at the RTP campus and Juneteenth events — both were awesome! — and have plans to continue volunteering with other groups, too. These communities have been like finding little families within the larger company where I connected with others who share similar backgrounds and experiences as me and discovered a sense of belonging and reassurance.

You know that feeling of walking into a room and immediately feeling like you belong? That’s been my experience at Cisco. Any doubts I had about my background disappeared because Cisco doesn’t just accept diversity — it celebrates it! It’s been amazing to bring my whole self to work and know my unique perspective is valued. This inclusive culture has made a world of difference and is the reason that success and development is possible. It’s allowed me to ask questions and contribute to projects in ways I might not have felt comfortable doing elsewhere. And it’s given me the confidence to speak up and share my ideas, knowing they’ll be heard and respected.

As I get ready for my last semester of school, wrapping up my degree at North Carolina State University (Go Pack!) this December, majoring in Public Relations, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I’m sad that my internship is coming to an end. On the other, I’m incredibly excited about what the future holds, armed with all I’ve learned and experienced here at Cisco.

For anyone out there considering applying for an internship at Cisco, all I can say is do it. It’s been challenging, sure, but in all the best ways. I’ve grown more in these eight weeks than I could have imagined, both professionally and personally. The skills I’ve gained and the connections I’ve made will be invaluable as I navigate the next steps in my career.

So here’s to Cisco — for the opportunities, the laughs, the challenges, and for showing me what it really means to be part of a team. It’s been a great ride, and I wouldn’t change a thing!

Be you, with us. Cultivating an environment in which we all thrive is part of our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all. Learn more.

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