Think about this: You’re recent out of college, crammed with large desires and a little bit of uncertainty. Throughout your latest internships, you usually felt misplaced, struggling to navigate with out correct steerage from busy supervisors. You needed to determine issues out by yourself. That is how my profession journey begins.
Again in 1999, I went to San Jose State College as a part of the trade program to check enterprise for a yr. It was the peak of the dot-com bubble and Cisco was the highest firm everybody aspired to affix.
Whereas at San Jose State College, I labored as a lifeguard on the campus swimming pool. That’s the place I met Andrew, a Cisco worker who got here to the pool day-after-day along with his son. We talked so much and actually related. After I was making ready to return to France for an internship, Andrew had a unique thought. An concept that modified my life ceaselessly. “Why don’t you do an internship at Cisco?” And the remaining is historical past!
Two years later, after ending my research in Paris, my internship supervisor inspired me to use for the Cisco Gross sales Associates Program (CSAP). CSAP is particularly designed to develop recent graduates into future leaders by offering complete coaching and invaluable on-the-job expertise.
So, I took that recommendation — I utilized, was accepted, went to Amsterdam, and joined the primary EMEA cohort of the award-winning Cisco Gross sales Associates Program!
CSAP IMPACT
After I first arrived in wet Amsterdam to begin CSAP, I used to be so excited to go to the workplace, attend courses, and meet new buddies. This chance was my sense of accomplishment, and I wished to grab it to the fullest.
First, I discovered enterprise is way past what’s taught in books and discovered within the classroom. CSAP lets you be taught via real-life examples. You might be related with profitable leaders and devoted mentors who genuinely decide to your progress, guiding you step-by-step in constructing confidence and abilities.
Second, I discovered to respect and rejoice variations. Touring to totally different international locations world wide, I embraced varied cultures and folks. These life classes have stayed with me, creating recollections that may final a lifetime.
Group affect has at all times been a core a part of Cisco’s DNA, ingrained in us from the beginning, and the values I gained throughout my yr in Amsterdam are actually unbelievable. We regularly used our free days to come back collectively and assist clear the Amsterdam canals, amongst different group actions.
At this time, I’m lucky to proceed pursuing my ardour by volunteering as an ocean coastguard and paramedic, because of Cisco’s paid Time2Give days — day off, along with our trip day off only for volunteering.
The chance to have this time to assist the group is what actually makes a distinction. Every of us at Cisco has the power to energy to a extra inclusive future for all.
CSAP LESSONS
Wanting again, we have been certainly recent graduates with large desires and a little bit of uncertainty. Via CSAP, we discovered our paths and have now turn out to be profitable leaders, guiding the following era at this time. The classes I discovered in CSAP are:
- Thrive for excellence in every thing you do.
- Be buyer and associate obsessed. At all times put them first.
- Be a individuals individual. Deal with your colleagues, prospects, and companions with respect and empathy.
The way in which CSAP taught us the way to present up and have interaction with our prospects, companions, and colleagues is the most important game-changer. I attempt to use that lesson to empower and coach the individuals in my groups. Treating individuals proper is crucial to doing enterprise the proper approach.
I usually obtain suggestions from our prospects and companions concerning the account managers on my group, their values, how they construct belief, and symbolize Cisco’s values. I’m extremely proud that the majority of them come from CSAP. Throughout my journey. I additionally had the honour to be a CSAP Chief and immediately form the evolution of this system and onboard prime expertise for Cisco. I managed to move on my classes and empower individuals to excel and be nice at what they do, creating and nurturing the sample of excellence instilled in me throughout my CSAP days.
REUNION
After ending this system and returning to Paris, I received a job supply in Lyon. As a real third-generation Parisian (which is fairly uncommon!), I wanted a while to get used to the concept of shifting. I assumed I’d solely be in Lyon for a few years. However right here I’m, 20 years later, nonetheless in Lyon and now a Director of International Digital Gross sales and Engineering, nonetheless rising and thriving with Cisco.
My journey with Cisco started after I was a lifeguard. Little did I do know, CSAP would turn out to be the very best springboard for my profession, offering unbelievable experiences and most significantly, lifelong buddies. Just lately, we celebrated an enormous milestone: the twentieth anniversary of the primary CSAP EMEA cohort.
20 years in the past, 44 of us CSAPers, began this journey collectively. We’ve shared so many life moments — weddings, changing into dad and mom, profession adjustments, and different milestones collectively. It’s been an unbelievable trip!
All the next cohorts of this system will testify to the particular bond {that a} CSAP yr creates of their lives and their quite a few careers in Cisco and the trade end result from the stable basis constructed via the event path it establishes.
I hope my classes and story will encourage you to be open to new alternatives and at all times be sort to individuals round you. You by no means know when you’ll meet somebody or get right into a state of affairs that may change the course of your whole profession and life.
Stephan and the EMEA CSAPers have finished wonderful issues over the previous 20 years. Inquisitive about what Cisco has achieved in its 40 years? Take a look at the 2024 Objective Report to see our affect!
Subscribe to the WeAreCisco Weblog.
Share:
