Community college wasn't part of my plan. Actually, I didn't really have a plan at all. I ended up at Diablo Valley College because it was convenient, affordable, and honestly, I just needed a place to start. At the time, I wasn't sure what I wanted to study or how the next few years would look. Most of all, I never imagined it leading to an opportunity I didn't even know existed: interning at a Fortune 500 company as a community college student.

My Cisco Journey Begins

After deciding to major in business, I heard about Handshake, a college-centric career site. With some design experience already under my belt, I decided to give my new career a shot. After browsing tons of listings, one job stood out ...Marketing Specialist Internat Cisco. To my pleasant surprise, I was actually eligible to apply! Soon after, my phone rang. I was invited to participate in an assessment center consisting of a behavioral interview, a presentation, and a team exercise. With just one weekend to prepare, I left with pride, knowing I did my best. I'll never forget the moment I refreshed my inbox and saw the offer letter. I stared at the screen in disbelief.Me? At Cisco?

From the start, I knew Cisco's early talent marketing program, Amplify, was special. What I discovered once I joined was that its flexibility was a game-changer. Interns can return for multiple summers across different teams, and after your final summer, you're considered for the full-time Amplify program. There's a saying here: "one company, many careers," and through Amplify, I was getting a taste of it. Plus, the support system is incredible. Each intern gets a full-time Amplifier buddy, a mentor, a team manager, and a program manager. It truly felt like the perfect fit.

Finding my Footing

At first, I felt on top of the world. Then imposter syndrome started to creep in. "Did they really mean to hireme?" I was confident, but also aware that I had less formal experience than my peers. Luckily, my manager, Shonya, helped me regain my focus and recognize strengths that I couldn't even see in myself. Cisco is a huge company but the culture here is so welcoming and encourages questions, that I started to thrive in no time. Specialized trainings and interactive onboarding helped me get up to speed, and before I knew it, we were diving into the infamous intern-led readout project. My team was tasked with presenting a data-backed optimization plan for Cisco's paid-search efforts to a live audience of more than 500 people on Cisco TV. I hadn't even presented to 50 people before - how would I do 500? I was scared, but I knew my support system had my back. When the day finally rolled around, it was everything I could've asked for, and so much more. (Shoutout to Yazeed, Ashley, Bella, Riley, and Brooke for being amazing teammates!)

Discovering My Path at Cisco

Now, back for my second summer, I'm on a new team, taking advantage of professional development courses, and focusing on strategy - the area I've discovered I'm most passionate about. The beauty of Amplify and Cisco is that you can grow in new directions, explore different roles, and find the work that truly excites you. Even as an intern, I've made real impact by being perceptive and creative in improving processes. That's why I love where I work: Cisco sees your potential, invests in your growth, and lets you bring your authentic self to everything you do.

Embrace Your Potential

Looking back, I can see just how far this experience has taken me. I've graduated from community college, returned to Cisco for my second summer, and have been accepted to my dream school, UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. It feels surreal.

My story reminds us that talent doesn't always follow a traditional path; it's everywhere, often hidden in plain sight. With the right support, enough curiosity, and opportunity, I believe anyone can grow into someone extraordinary. Programs like Amplify align perfectly with Cisco's Purpose to power an inclusive future for all. My communication and organization skills have matured, and those critical moments even helped shape my application to UC Berkeley.

If you're considering applying to Cisco, my advice is simple: embrace your unique path, follow your curiosity, and shoot for the stars. Because sometimes, one unexpected "yes" can change everything.

Let's embrace your unique path! Check out career opportunities now.

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