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Rising up in Augusta, G.A., my dad and mom solely noticed one path for me. They thought that sending me to school to earn a level for a selected occupation was one of the best ways to arrange me for the actual world. On the time, the South was nonetheless racially divided, and the potential for achievement for a lady of coloration like me was restricted. So, I attempted to comply with the trail my dad and mom wished for me and enrolled on the College of South Carolina. I discovered myself in an auditorium stuffed with strangers listening to a professor discuss issues that didn’t curiosity me in any respect. I couldn’t hook up with the expertise and had nobody to stroll me by way of it, so I left to make my very own approach.
I attempted a number of careers and was in a position to make a cushty dwelling for myself and my household, however I nonetheless felt caught. I used to be not rising. I like to be taught. That’s what energizes me, however I didn’t really feel like I used to be studying something. After which, I used to be launched to Cisco by way of the OneTen program, really, by way of somebody I had beforehand employed. I appeared it up, and people phrases spoke to me on the proper time. “Nice jobs for Black expertise. No diploma required.”
Up till my interview with Cisco, after I went to an interview, I wore my greatest go well with and made positive that my make-up was accomplished to current the perfect model of myself, however there was one thing totally different with this place. After I learn the job description, it stated, “Like polka dots?” I really like polka dots. “Blue hair? Don’t care.” That sounds just like the woman that I’m. So, I interviewed sporting a t-shirt from Wal-Mart, and I had a headwrap on. I’ve by no means, ever interviewed like that in my whole profession. I used to be blown away after I had a proposal that day.
I realized from that interview that Cisco and OneTen are wanting on the skillset and all the additional … who cares? And I appreciated that chance.
Now I’m with an organization that invests in me. Cisco not solely employed me however empowers me. They provide me the instruments I want to achieve my profession, the abilities I must develop, and even assign me a mentor who helps me discover the subsequent door to open. I’m studying a lot now. Me and my OneTen cohorts, we’re on a pathway, they usually’re asking us, “The place do you wish to be in a yr? In two years? The place do you see your self down the street? What can we do to make that occur?” Cisco desires you to succeed. They’ll pay on your courses, certifications, and development, they usually imply that. They’re right here to assist you in so some ways. I’ve by no means been part of one thing like that.
Everybody on my crew has taken a distinct path to get right here, however we present up every day to work arduous and be taught, and all of us carry helpful abilities and new views to the desk, even with out faculty levels. What makes us totally different than Mark Zuckerberg and Invoice Gates? When folks come collectively and speak, lovely issues occur. We simply want the chance to be put in entrance of the appropriate folks. The management crew at Cisco will get it and gives that chance.
My greatest takeaway since becoming a member of Cisco is understanding that there are nice corporations and nice folks on the market. So, if you happen to’re fascinated with altering your profession, don’t be afraid. Check out Cisco and try the OneTen program as a result of the 2 of them collectively have definitely made an amazing distinction in my life.
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