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

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Since becoming a member of in 2015, my profession has unfolded inside Cisco’s ecosystem. I started in channel gross sales and advanced by way of a number of roles. Even once I stepped away for a yr to discover the client aspect with certainly one of Cisco’s companions, it by no means felt like a goodbye, only a momentary detour. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-473013 alignright" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-scaled.jpg" alt="Women in black headscarves standing in front of a Cisco Secure backdrop." width="449" height="299" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-768x512.jpg 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/Bayan-Photo-scaled.jpg 2560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 449px) 100vw, 449px"/>

That journey introduced me again in 2022. Whereas attending a convention, I reconnected with Cisco and found a brand new alternative within the Safety group. It was a daring shift entering into the function of Cybersecurity Gross sales Specialist, and because the solely lady on this place in Saudi Arabia, it felt like uncharted territory.

At first, I hesitated. Cybersecurity appeared like an intimidating area I assumed was reserved for coders and technical consultants. However as soon as I stepped in, I found that this notion was a fable. Sure, the educational curve was steep, however removed from not possible. I shortly realized that whereas certifications like CISSP will be useful, they’re not obligatory to start out. What mattered extra was curiosity, braveness, and a willingness to study. I’ve at all times believed that when you really set your thoughts to one thing, you may obtain it.

Individuals study in another way. For me, real-world expertise at all times trumps idea. Whereas I explored supplies and books, together with the CISSP information, what really helped me develop was being within the discipline: observing, listening, becoming a member of conferences, and studying by way of lively engagement. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="lazy lazy-hidden alignleft wp-image-473007" data-lazy-type="image" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-scaled.jpg" alt="A woman in a black headscarf presents to a seated group of young attendees at a tech event. The audience listens attentively as she speaks in front of a modern exhibition booth with bright lighting and digital displays." width="450" height="300" srcset="" sizes="auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px"/><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-473007" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-scaled.jpg" alt="A woman in a black headscarf presents to a seated group of young attendees at a tech event. The audience listens attentively as she speaks in front of a modern exhibition booth with bright lighting and digital displays." width="450" height="300" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-300x200.jpg 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-768x512.jpg 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A9410-scaled.jpg 2560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px"/>I used to be lucky to be surrounded by mentors, particularly a colleague who later turned my supervisor. His steerage, together with the help of my workforce, gave me the boldness and basis to thrive. I additionally practiced buyer simulations, which sharpened each my technical acumen and storytelling expertise.

Simply as I used to be gaining confidence on this new function, life threw an sudden problem my means: a breast most cancers analysis. It was a stunning second, however early detection made all of the distinction. I took six months off for therapy and surgical procedure. These months have been tough, however they modified me eternally.

Coming again to work was a milestone, not only a return to my job, however a rebirth. I felt stronger, extra resilient, and extra empowered. I spotted I didn’t must know every thing, I wanted to know the way to ask, collaborate, and talk. I leaned into the strengths that made me distinctive: my communication expertise, my background as an English trainer, my expertise throughout Cisco’s enterprise. These turned my superpowers. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-473008" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-scaled.jpg" alt="A woman wearing a black headscarf sits at a conference table with three men during a meeting." width="451" height="301" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-300x200.jpg 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-768x512.jpg 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/05/GF9A8875-scaled.jpg 2560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px"/>

I additionally discovered that in cybersecurity gross sales, solely about 20% of the work is solely technical. The remaining 80% is about folks constructing belief, navigating complexity, and translating worth. After I embraced that mindset, I started to actually add worth each to the workforce and to our clients.

Better of all, I returned with a brand new appreciation for the place I belonged, and who I had turn into. My journey at Cisco has taken me by way of many roles and experiences, and every one has helped me develop. At the moment, I’ve come full circle, again in channel gross sales, now as a Companion Account Supervisor, with a renewed sense of function.

Cisco is an organization that invests deeply in its folks. I not too long ago accomplished the JUMP Management Program, targeted on empowering ladies leaders throughout Europe, the Center East, and Africa. The expertise was not solely insightful, it was affirming. Listening to different ladies’s tales and exchanging views jogged my memory how beneficial it's to study from each other.

That’s what makes Cisco particular. It’s not only a office, it’s a group the place you may stretch, evolve, and uncover who you actually are. I’m enthusiastic about this subsequent chapter, assured that Cisco will proceed to be the place the place I develop into the most effective model of myself.