16yearsago,asarecent college graduate,mylife changedthedayIwasaccepted intothe Cisco Sales Associate Program (CSAP). 

Now, 17"week 52s" later,Ican tell youthat I'venot only grownupat Cisco-I've grown a career I'm proud of at Cisco.And every 52 weeks, when we end another fiscal year, I'm excitedtosee how farwe've come. 

As a peopleleader responsible for a nine-figure business with 13 solution specialistsacrossthe southeast, Iknow I've found exactly what Iwas looking for all those years ago at Cisco. While my peers hopped around fromcompany tocompany, I remained steadfast because I founda familyhere.   

Cisco'sculture spoketome early onandis at the core of what I focus on as a leaderin my current role.Iwork with some of theverybestpeoplein the industry who are allhere to helpeach other (andCisco) succeed.Being in thisenvironmentpushesme togive my best and be my bestselfeach day-it's infectious!  

When I started at Cisco, being able toworkforJohn Chambers,one of themostIconic CEO's of our timein the tech industry, was my initial draw to the company. It became very clear to me, however,that Cisco is special because of thepeople that work here; its whyI'm here,it's why Istay. 

On day one,I showed up withexcitement andbutterflies as I entered a largetownhall space in one of the 15 buildingsCiscooccupiedon the sprawling tech campus in Raleigh, North Carolina-I didn'tknowa soul. It wasoverwhelming and humbling, butthanks to the people and the leadership-it alsofelt like home, too.  

A year later myCSAPcohortwouldbe spread all over the United States, and I would make my way to thefield salesofficein hot, humid Atlanta, Georgia. Again,I found myselffilled withnervous excitement,in an unfamiliar place - not knowing a soul. But, at Cisco, youalways find a home.  

Everybody I interacted with always wanted me to be successful, and the team pulled me right into their fold.They perhaps didn't have to do that, with all the experience they had they could have easily found ways out of it-but that's just not how we do things here at Cisco. I always knew that thesewere my people.  

In my 16 years with the company, I havebeen a part of some incredible teams and held many differentsales roles. From small business to midsize enterpriseto the Fortune 500across many different verticals,I can't think of anothercompany that affords such a unique opportunity to keepgrowing. Whetherit was exposureto different business models, learning how tocollaborate acrosstimes zonesorharnessingthe strength in ourdiverseteams to make gamechangingimpacts forour customers,partner, and communities we support-there was always the ability to grow here. 

As a people leader,I havecome full circle as I now have the added responsibility to help continue growing our culture, draw out the best in our people while giving them a safe space to fail forward, and recruit top talent who will carry Cisco forward. 

I found a familyhere;I found a home - it's where I belong.I hope one day you'll join us and be celebrating your first end of fiscal year with us soon! 

Ready to join our global teams?Apply now. 

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