Get to know Customer Experience Cisconians!
If you are looking for a professional experience where you will grow technically, put your knowledge into practice, and meet people from different countries and backgrounds, then the Customer Experience Academy at Cisco might be the perfect space for you!
I work as an Enterprise Consulting Engineer, where I am dedicated to specific customers, build relationships with them, and support them on a day-to-day basis with configuration guidelines, reporting, and assessing how their networks can be improved.
My journey at Cisco started with CXA through the Cisco Incubator Program. I had the chance to learn about what Cisco really does, not only routers and switches, but also many other exciting products such as Data Center, Security, and Automation. I also learned how amazing Cisco’s people are and that they are one of the most important pillars at Cisco.
Later, I joined CXA’s Graduate Program to continue learning and honing my skills. The Graduate Program was like jogging on a treadmill, where the speed was already set on the pace that would push me to do more and go further. I was learning from and being mentored by experts in technology, collaborating and helping customers from all over the world. I handled calls and technical conversations that I didn't know I was capable of.
Here are my secret ingredients for success in CXA programs and Cisco as a whole:
• Be courageous – don't forget that there is a whole Cisco Team to support you.
• Be curious – ask questions and investigate.
• Be creative – explore new approaches and solutions.
My favorite aspect of working at Cisco is the array of opportunities we are given to grow technically and professionally. The power lies within you to build your own path!
At Cisco, “come as you are” is not only spoken about but actively embodied by all its employees, creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment.
I joined Cisco over a year ago through a couple of CX Academy programs—first through the Internship and later the Graduate Program. These programs prepared and led me to my current role as a Project Specialist. Each day I can come as my true self to learn, grow, and collaborate with others. Day to day, I work closely with the customer and delivery team to lead and deliver a product or service to our customers.
During my CXA experience, I benefited from the various networking opportunities and trainings to better understand Cisco, my colleagues, and the structure of the organization, as well as all the internal initiatives that are available to Cisco employees, such as facilitated volunteer opportunities and groups.
My favorite part about working at Cisco is getting to participate in Connected Poland which is an employee group focused on giving back to the community. Volunteers are split into eight themed pillars organizing events ranging from professional career development, volunteer initiatives, cultural events, sports and health-related activities, and climate awareness. I love learning about what activities are happening around me that bring people together outside of work for a good cause.
They say that time flies fast when we are happy. This is the first thing I contemplated when I checked the calendar to realize that it has already been a year since I joined Cisco as a Project Manager. My role entails helping the Customer Experience Delivery team to deliver different projects to various customers. This is attained by actively leading the technical team to ensure goal achievement. The most interesting part of my job is meeting customers from all walks of life which hugely elevates my mind and widens my horizons.
I had the great chance to join the CX Academy with like-minded individuals where we had to go through the same journey of learning project management fundamentals. During the program, we learned a wide range of domains including professional skills, presentation skills, and teamwork skills, along with becoming a Certified Associate Project Manager which covers the basics of everyday project duties.
The most thrilling attribute of working here is the fact that you never stop developing on so many levels. Cisco culture encapsulates inclusivity, accommodation, innovation, flexibility, and support which in turn create a tremendously fertile environment for its employees to grow and prosper. Looking back at the past year, I couldn’t be more excited for another year full of experiences, productivity, and joy. For those who seek a motivating workplace, I invite you to where you should be… at Cisco.
Get some coffee, join the weekly meeting for my Spain project, implement the configuration for my Malaysia customer, prepare some slides for a technical session with a customer in Italy – that is just a peek into what my day-to-day looks like. As a Collaboration Consulting Engineer, I get to work on projects with customers and colleagues from all over the world. It is amazing to see how people from different backgrounds come together and work as a team to deliver amazing results for our customers.
So how did I join Cisco? For me, it was just supposed to be a summer internship, but I refused to let go of the idea of working here. I was sure that this is where I wanted to develop my career, and three years later, here I am. I joined through CXA’s Graduate Program, where I received my first trainings in preparation for my role. Those trainings covered both technical and soft skills areas which are crucial for being a successful Consulting Engineer. I never thought that negotiation skills and knowing how to be assertive would be as important as learning how to troubleshoot network issues.
It’s hard to choose one favorite thing about working here, but I can say that I love how Cisco encourages their employees to develop, not only at a professional level by providing us with all the necessary tools and resources to ramp up our technical skills, but also on a personal level by focusing greatly on giving back and promoting an inclusive culture for all. My time here has been a truly rewarding experience, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great work environment in a multicultural organization.
I joined Cisco more than eight years ago as a Support Engineer. After two years and many trainings, I became the first Problem Manager in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions at Cisco. In my current role as a Customer Delivery Leader, I lead an amazing team of twelve Technical/Process Problem Managers. My team and I help provide ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) functions such as Problem Management, Change Management, Access Management, and Service Request to our customers, like large international companies and banks.
At Cisco, you will work with people from all over the world with different backgrounds and experiences, and you likely will make great friends. There are many initiatives and opportunities sponsored by the company that make it feel like more than just a job. Some of my favorites are Cisco celebrations, budget for team integration meetings, budget for recognizing great work, Day For Me (extra paid day off each quarter), and my favorite—birthday off, on Cisco!
Working in such a big organization is not only a privilege but also a responsibility—a responsibility to give back and make a positive impact. This is why Cisco encourages us to give back by providing us with paid days off to volunteer. Personally, one of my favorite places to donate and volunteer is Krakow’s Animal Shelter.
Cisco is not only connecting devices. Cisco connects people, cultures, and experiences. It transforms data into knowledge and uses the knowledge to make a positive impact on our customers, our employees, and our society. You will get the opportunity to learn and test yourself in many areas and to try different career paths – one company, many careers. You will be mentored and helped by the best in the industry and when your time comes, you will do the same for others.
My Cisco adventure started with a Summer Internship, then the Incubator Program, and later the Graduate program, all of which led me to become a Senior Technical Consulting Engineer on Cisco’s Advanced Threat Solutions team.
CXA is the mastermind behind these initiatives. They helped me seamlessly transition from being a university student to a self-confident professional. Among technical training, there was also a strong focus on developing our soft skills. We had incredible courses that taught us about negotiation and how to present in front of different audiences.
During the internship, I started to build valuable relationships that I continue to have today. One of the passions that connected us was baking. I loved getting to share homemade cookies over morning coffee. We managed to test almost all recipes from interns and graduates at the Krakow office! I value the people that surround me at Cisco. We create a strong team, where we have each other’s back and learn from one another every day.
In my current role, I help our customers solve issues that arise with Cisco’s products. By providing the best customer experience while troubleshooting, I often feel like a detective. What I like the most about my role and working at Cisco is that I can always challenge myself. I can work on my coding skills, and there are plenty of development opportunities and certificates to explore.
The reason I chose Cisco was not only because of its technical industry reputation but also because of the care for others and the volunteering opportunities that Cisco encourages. Through the Time2Give benefit, I have paid days off to devote my time to causes I care about. I have been able to give back to my community by helping organize Business Runs and volunteering to sort clothes and paint facilities.
I started my journey at Cisco over a year ago through two CX Academy programs: the Internship Program and later the Graduate Program. I was able to develop my soft and technical skills, and I had the opportunity to meet Cisco leaders in a relaxed atmosphere. I also got the chance to intern at the best company to work for!
With the help of these programs, I had an easy transition from being a student to my current role at Cisco. During my internship, I was able to finish my studies and at the same time help solve customer challenges in the Cisco Technical Assistance Center. This led me to the Graduate Program where in 4 months I received the necessary trainings to finally join my current team. I’m a Customer Success Specialist in the Data Center where I help customers get the most out of our Data Center solutions by presenting and demonstrating our products to them.
After my internship, one of the main reasons that made my choice to continue working at Cisco so easy was the people and the culture at the company. Volunteer work was always a big part of my life and being able to work with people that also share this passion and a company that gives paid time off to volunteer was a big plus.
I feel this is just the beginning of an amazing journey for me at Cisco. It is a company that cares about its employees and provides us with all the necessary tools we need to succeed in our professional life. I couldn't recommend a better company to be the bridge between finishing your studies and the start of your career, where anything is possible.
How about jumping into calls with colleagues from all over the world and working together to deliver the best results for customers, all while having fun together as a team? That’s what an average day working at Cisco looks like for me as a Customer Experience and Success Specialist on the wonderful Security team.
My role entails being there for our customers and their journey with Cisco Security products. I support and help them fully understand the value of the product and how to use it to its maximum capabilities.
My journey at Cisco started last September through the Incubator Program, and I officially joined the company as a full-time employee in March, with the CXA’s Graduate Program being my first stop. After graduating and joining the company, I caught myself on a path full of opportunities, supportive people, and an extremely inclusive culture.
The way CXA structured our experience has been amazingly helpful in understanding the bigger picture of Cisco. It helped me explore the opportunities I have in this community, meet people that I may be able to work with in the future, connect on a personal level, and appreciate different perspectives and ways of thinking. The program also helped me understand my unique role in my future team while making clear my impact on the future of Cisco.
My team is there for me whenever I need them; they support and help me bring out the best version of myself. Even if it is working from home and calling them to have a coffee and discuss or if it is a day that we meet at the office and we have our discussions while playing table tennis, billiard, or while having lunch together. Starting my professional career at Cisco has been an awesome experience!
The CX Academy could be the start of your Cybersecurity career journey! Cisco is vast and diverse – from the products and services offered to its customers to the cultures and mindsets of its employees. Working at Cisco is both challenging and rewarding. It is the perfect place to start and develop your career as you will always be encouraged to learn and grow.
I joined Cisco five years ago as a part of the Graduate Program through CXA. The program was rigorous and insightful. I learned about Cisco’s culture, the company structure, and its many technologies. The experience was informative and revelational; I got to work with multiple teams and complete various trainings. In a short period of time, I learned about specific Cisco products, such as Cisco Voice & Video, which helped me transition to my team once I finished the program. My team was welcoming and supportive, and I’ve made some meaningful connections.
What is great about Cisco is that we do not expect you to know everything, but you absolutely should stay curious and open-minded if you want to be successful. During my time here, I have explored different roles and teams. My passion and curiosity led me through different paths such as Cisco Collaboration, Software Engineering, and Cybersecurity, which brought me to my current role as a Security Operations Center Analyst.
I have discovered how amazing it is to investigate security threats and how we protect our customers from various malware infections and hacker attacks. And, of course, it wouldn’t be such a great place to work without the Dream Team that I have. Together we work, attend cybersecurity conferences, have team lunches, good laughs, and share knowledge. Five years at Cisco might seem like a long time, but it really is just the beginning!
My Cisco career started over four years ago and has been built through CX Academy programs: Summer Internship, Part-time Internship, and the Graduate Program. After almost one year of incredibly efficient ramp-up, I was lucky to join Cisco’s Global TAC (Technical Assistance Center) organization. Today, I'm a Senior Technical Consulting Engineer in the TAC Enterprise Switching team.
TAC’s purpose is to identify and fix problems with Cisco Products, which heavily involves Quality Assurance and feedback for Product and Engineering Teams. As an Intern and Graduate, I mainly focused on self-development in Switching, Automation, and Python domains, quickly becoming a global leader in Intellectual Capital (IC) creation. IC is a piece of automation code able to determine faults and issues within a given Cisco product and auto-suggest a solution. Exposure to IC allowed me to develop in multiple directions simultaneously. I gained critical technical expertise by supporting our Partners and Customers and grew within Python and Automation by being engaged in bigger projects. However, the most beautiful part of my experience at Cisco has been working with people who share the same passion for technology.
Aside from technical innovation, an important part of Cisco's culture is giving back to our communities. Through the Time2Give benefit, I have paid days off to volunteer and assist with initiatives I’m passionate about, such as helping in shelters or organizing Business Runs.
Recently, I achieved one of my milestones as a TAC Engineer by participating in Cisco Live in Las Vegas, which is the biggest Cisco event in the world. I was able to share my knowledge and experience with Cisco partners and customers.
I couldn't imagine a better four years of professional and technical growth!
My educational background is in Cultural Anthropology, and I have been a Cisconian for almost six years. I have grown through multiple roles in Customer Experience at Cisco, from service delivery, operations, and customer success to my current role in the Customer Experience Academy as an Emerging Talent Leader. What brought me here? Firstly, a strong belief in allyship as a value. Secondly, my professional goal to help build a talent pipeline of diverse individuals and skill sets.
To me, allyship is about looking at everyone at the table, thinking about who is missing, and taking action to welcome them, ensuring that it is a diverse and inclusive space. Some of us are in a more privileged position by default, while others face more barriers in society. This is where we can make a difference by working together to proactively address these disparities.
I am very passionate about inclusion and diversity, and this is exactly what CXA is about. Through various talent programs, we aim to source and develop the best talent in the industry and build future-ready teams and diverse professionals. In this process, we are not constrained by geography, and we place more emphasis on unlocking potential instead of exclusively focusing on university degrees and experience.
At the very beginning of my Cisco journey, I became involved in the PRIDE Inclusive Community, which is one of the twenty-eight Employee Resource Organizations at Cisco that helps promote inclusive work culture. Thanks to PRIDE, I had the opportunity to meet lots of fantastic people from various business units. This experience, along with using the Time2Give benefit (paid time off to volunteer), and attending internal and external events has helped me create many wonderful memories and connections at Cisco.
