Going Back to College: Capturing Gen Z’s Imagination About Careers in Tech

[ad_1] I’ve labored at Cisco for greater than 17 years, and I proceed to take pleasure in my job and the distinctive, rewarding challenges that every day brings. One such “distinctive and rewarding problem” concerned internet hosting the UKI Associate Summit at some point and volunteering with the UKI gross sales and specialist group the following.

After a day of keynotes and breakout periods the place we shared enterprise and options priorities and networked with about 150 of our companions, the Cisco group concluded the Summit by volunteering at Tresham School—a set of additional schooling faculties within the East Midlands of England.

Connecting with Gen Z Our group of about 30 volunteers had a stable plan for the way we might spend our time with the scholars. The agenda included offering a chance for collaborative studying and presenting, and sharing details about the Cisco Diploma Apprentice Program. But after we arrived on campus, there was somewhat tentativeness about how the day would go.

In my position and with my persona, making connections is second nature to me. I thrive on the vitality of constructing and sustaining relationships with colleagues and companions alike. It’s one of many many causes I take pleasure in working at Cisco. I even have youngsters in the identical age vary because the Tresham college students, and as a mum or dad to Gen Zers, forging connections with this age group is crucial to me—although not all the time as simple to domesticate as these with work colleagues (IYKYK).

Whereas we knew this expertise would push a few of us out of our consolation zones, we had been desirous to make a constructive impression on the scholars we met. So, we shook off the nerves and dove into the day.

We began by gathering in teams comprised of scholars and volunteers. Every group was requested to debate the enterprise mannequin of a recognizable tech firm (suppose YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and many others.) and the way Synthetic Intelligence may play a task within the evolution of the enterprise. Then, every cohort would current its findings to the broader viewers whereas being judged on their presentation expertise by Cisco volunteers. What we hadn’t absolutely thought of was that we had been working with primarily introverted college students. Cue the nerves as soon as once more, as we second-guessed whether or not we had chosen the right method with the train.

Wow, did these college students show themselves!

A Metamorphosis In a matter of three hours, because of ice breakers and encouragement from Cisco volunteers, we watched the scholars remodel from shy, barely teenagers to assured, extremely engaged contributors. Those that offered showcased their group’s views with insightful, participating, and, at instances, even humorous shows to an viewers of 150 of their friends and Cisco adjudicators. And the judges—they took their position to the following stage, with aptitude akin to these on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, or a panel of Olympics adjudicators scoring a gymnastics competitors. “It was virtually magical to see the scholars’ expertise, braveness, and aggressive instincts come alive,” shared Alice Hardy, Enterprise Growth Supervisor for Cisco UKI, and occasion co-planner.

It was a very enriching train for the scholars and the volunteers. “I used to be assigned to work with one of many scholar groups,” shared Preston Abbensetts, a Cisco Apprentice and one of many volunteers. “They had been a educated bunch, and it was wonderful to see the collaboration amongst them, and concepts spark, as their shows got here collectively.”

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-474813 alignright" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="408" height="306" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https://storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images-new/ciscoblogs/1/2025/06/Apprentice-Presentation-scaled.jpeg 2560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px"/>Publish-School Profession Path Alternatives The day wasn’t over but. The second half of our time with the scholars was centered on sharing details about the Cisco Diploma Apprentice program, a studying and growth alternative that provides on-the-job expertise in each enterprise and technical routes at Cisco. Preston Abbensetts and Jacob Webb, two present Diploma Apprentices, gave the overview and knocked it out of the park!

In truth, sharing their expertise with the Tresham college students was a key a part of their apprenticeship journey. “What I respect most in regards to the Cisco Diploma Apprenticeship program is the duty we’re given early on—an opportunity to handle initiatives and companions—with help from Cisco leaders each step of the way in which,” Preston shared with college students.

“As somebody who lately accomplished my school programs, I may relate to the Tresham college students,” Jacob shared. “There may be quite a lot of strain to know what you need to do when you end school, and I used to be glad to share one different for them to contemplate for his or her life after Tresham.”

“Because of sharing my expertise, a number of college students expressed an curiosity in making use of for the Diploma Apprenticeship program,” stated Preston. “It’s an excellent feeling to know you’re serving to to construct somebody’s confidence for his or her future.”

Nice Potential Forward What a day and alternative for every of us on the Cisco group! Our time at Tresham School was extra rewarding than any of us anticipated. It was a novel method of coming collectively to impression the following technology.

We supplied actual worth and insights for these younger adults by introducing them to potential technology-focused pathways for his or her future careers. Now that they've extra publicity to Cisco, maybe a few of them shall be a part of a future cohort of apprentices. That’s one thing I look ahead to seeing!