From Associate’s Degree to Amplify: How I Launched My Career at Cisco

[ad_1] I took fairly the leap from my area people faculty to touchdown a full-time place on a world workforce at Cisco.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-475297 alignright" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_9837-scaled.jpeg" alt="Women sitting at countertop with laptop and Cisco branded water bottle." width="455" height="607" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_9837-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/2nV4fKLV-IMG_9837-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_9837-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_9837-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_9837-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 455px) 100vw, 455px"/>I used to be a pupil at Wake Technical Neighborhood School in Raleigh, North Carolina, pursuing a level in Enterprise Administration: Advertising. Between lessons on weekdays and on weekends I labored to keep away from piling up pupil loans, protecting any college bills that monetary help couldn’t. I additionally figured that working whereas finding out would current me as a standout candidate within the job market, even when I used to be incomes an affiliate’s diploma moderately than heading straight for a bachelor’s.

Simply as I used to be nearing the end line of my coursework, my college despatched out an e-mail introducing Handshake, a platform connecting college students with potential employers. Curiosity piqued, I arrange my account and began scrolling by way of job listings. Think about my shock once I stumbled upon an internship alternative at Cisco. Sure, the Cisco! Persistently ranked as probably the greatest locations to work, and so they had a advertising internship proper in my metropolis. I believed, “Why not? The worst they'll say isn't any, proper?” I met the fundamental requirement of needing an affiliate’s diploma, which I used to be about to attain, so I made a decision to make the leap and apply.

Quick ahead to a secular night, whereas slogging by way of a regulation task, I seen a missed name. The voicemail was from Cisco! I listened twice, barely believing my ears, then shortly returned the decision, hoping I hadn’t missed my likelihood. Three rings later, somebody picked up providing me an interview, and my journey started.

Three weeks after that preliminary name, I obtained one other one. However this wasn’t simply concerning the internship — it was one thing a lot better. Cisco supplied me a full-time place! And the cherry on high was that I used to be becoming a member of, Amplify, Cisco’s early-in-career advertising program which gives hands-on expertise, mentorship, and coaching earlier than transitioning right into a full-time position inside the firm, permitting me to study the ropes at a tempo that suited me. I had secured a job earlier than even ending faculty, a feat many graduates wrestle with as they attempt to discover not only a job, however a profession aligned with their diploma.

My first Amplify Webex assembly with the Fiscal 12 months 25 cohort was a revelation. Although my new job was distant, it linked me with a globally various group. We had individuals from throughout — Texas, New York, even Europe and Asia! Throughout our first week, we had been inspired to arrange one-on-one calls to get to know one another higher. These conversations had been enlightening, serving to us join with each other and share our nervous pleasure about entering into the company world collectively.

Within the first month of the Amplify Program, we obtained our predominant task, a aggressive evaluation undertaking specializing in messaging and techniques of Cisco’s opponents. Our cohort was cut up into teams, assigned two opponents, and govt leaders. We labored collectively over the course of this system researching the businesses, their methods, and compiling the knowledge right into a concise ten-minute presentation we delivered in entrance of each other and Cisco advertising leaders, showcasing our understanding of every firm and its alignment with Cisco’s enterprise. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-475296 alignleft" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-scaled.jpeg" alt="Slide with title and picture of woman on a webex space with teal glasses smiling " width="581" height="327" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/07/IMG_3057-scaled.jpeg 2560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px"/>

My coronary heart pounded as I introduced to vice presidents and senior vice presidents for the primary time in my profession, however this undertaking was an unimaginable alternative as a result of it elevated my visibility inside Cisco and deepened my understanding of the corporate. It supplied me with essential insights that proved invaluable as soon as I joined my workforce — the International Advocacy workforce the place I’m specializing in database administration.

Due to Amplify, I’ve honed the talents to shortly study and adapt to my new position. Collaboration throughout groups and areas has been a spotlight, particularly as I help with Cisco Reside San Diego, Cisco’s world annual convention the place IT professionals, trade leaders, and tech fanatics collect to discover the most recent improvements. This expertise has been eye-opening, instructing me that groups listed below are really united when we now have widespread objectives.

Reflecting on this journey, I’m crammed with gratitude for the alternatives which have come my approach. It’s a testomony to taking possibilities and embracing new challenges. Cisco’s dedication to progress has allowed me to discover completely different roles and tasks, increasing my abilities and community. As I proceed to develop inside my position and on my workforce, I’m wanting to contribute and study extra. Who knew {that a} leap of religion may lead me right here to Cisco, turning my “why not?” into “what’s subsequent?”