Network Connections: How Cisco and the Camino de Santiago Share Common Ground

Network Connections: How Cisco and the Camino de Santiago Share Common Ground

What do a centuries-old pilgrimage path in Spain, a global leader in networking technology, and $54,986 have in common? Well, before I answer that question, let me back up a bit … The Camino de Santiago, established in the 9th century, is a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Did you catch that key word? A network of paths — a way to connect people. You…

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Thank You, Cisco: From Persistence to Parenthood

Thank You, Cisco: From Persistence to Parenthood

The following story discusses the loss of a baby and miscarriage. Readers who may be sensitive, please take note. I applied to Cisco 32 times. Yes, from 2016 to 2020, I applied to Cisco 32 times, driven by the dream of joining a company that values its employees. In 2020, an amazing Emerging Talent Recruiter reached out to me and persuaded me to try one more time. I was reluctant because my feelings were still…

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From Service to Security: My Path to Empowerment at Cisco

From Service to Security: My Path to Empowerment at Cisco

My career journey began before I was even old enough to realize it. Growing up, my mother, a single parent and immigrant, turned her handcrafted items into our family’s livelihood at local flea markets, where I would often accompany her. Her resilience and entrepreneurial skills were my earliest lessons in business, laying the groundwork for my own aspirations. These early experiences instilled in me a drive to make a meaningful impact, a drive that has…

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From Service to Security: My Path to Empowerment at Cisco

From Service to Security: My Path to Empowerment at Cisco

My career journey began before I was even old enough to realize it. Growing up, my mother, a single parent and immigrant, turned her handcrafted items into our family’s livelihood at local flea markets, where I would often accompany her. Her resilience and entrepreneurial skills were my earliest lessons in business, laying the groundwork for my own aspirations. These early experiences instilled in me a drive to make a meaningful impact, a drive that has…

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Preserving Culture Through Technology: An Unforgettable Experience in the Arctic

Preserving Culture Through Technology: An Unforgettable Experience in the Arctic

In June 2024, two of my passions—Native American culture and technology—converged at the top of the world. Along with a small team from Cisco and IP Consulting, an African American Cisco Partner, I journeyed to Utqiaġvik (Barrow) Alaska, to support IỊisaġvik College and the Iñupiaq Alaska Native Tribe. My visit was a bucket list item I didn’t know I had until I was there. We weren’t there to change the Iñupiaq culture but to help…

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Discovering My True Value: My Journey to a Fulfilling Career at Cisco

Discovering My True Value: My Journey to a Fulfilling Career at Cisco

I didn’t know much about Cisco initially, but I did know that the culture and work-life balance I experienced for the past five years was far from ideal. It was common for me to work 12–14-hour days as an order creator and order manager in telecommunications. Exceeding expectations typically resulted in a simple thank you and even more work. Despite my passion for the job and maintaining a positive mental attitude, I realized that my…

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Serving With Honor, Finding Pride: Embracing Authenticity at Cisco

Serving With Honor, Finding Pride: Embracing Authenticity at Cisco

I am what someone would call an enigma — I simply do not make sense. I grew up in a military family. That is what I knew, that is what I was exposed to. It was ingrained in me that this is what we believe, how we vote, and how we love. As a military child, I was preconditioned to be subservient without questioning authority. As a child, I was ok with this — life…

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10 Reflections and Learnings From My Transformative First Year and a Half at Cisco

10 Reflections and Learnings From My Transformative First Year and a Half at Cisco

I am committed to changing the world for the better. My life is dedicated to that mission. I joined Cisco a year and a half ago because of the company’s passion for purpose-driven work, and my journey so far has been transformational. Currently, I am a member of the People, Policy & Purpose (3P) FLEX Emerging Leaders Program, which is a leadership rotational program for early-in-career individuals to explore careers within the various 3P teams….

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What Happens When Your House Burns Down Right Before a Meeting?

What Happens When Your House Burns Down Right Before a Meeting?

Imagine this: you’re about to hop on a meeting with a leader, and suddenly, your house catches fire. I was working from home one afternoon and had just finished a phone call. Little did I know, my life was about to change dramatically. I grabbed some food, and as I sat down at my desk to eat before my next meeting, I heard an explosion. I checked our air conditioning unit in the backyard—it was…

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Striking a Chord Between My Passions and Career at Cisco

Striking a Chord Between My Passions and Career at Cisco

This post was authored by Karthik Ravishankar, a recent Consulting Engineer intern on the Customer Experience (CX) Team. I grew up in a small middle-class family, wanting to learn music, but money was often tight. My mom has a disability that makes walking difficult, so my dad was the only one who could work. Growing up, I banked on education loans for college, and my family expected me to make it big! In college, I…

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