Think about this: You’re recent out of college, stuffed with massive goals and a little bit of uncertainty. Throughout your current internships, you typically felt misplaced, struggling to navigate with out correct steering 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 alternate 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 each day together with his son. We talked loads and actually linked. Once I was getting ready to return to France for an internship, Andrew had a special thought. An concept that modified my life endlessly. “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
Once 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 associates. This chance was my sense of accomplishment, and I wished to grab it to the fullest.
First, I realized enterprise is much past what’s taught in books and realized within the classroom. CSAP means that you can be taught by real-life examples. You’re linked with profitable leaders and devoted mentors who genuinely decide to your progress, guiding you step-by-step in constructing confidence and expertise.
Second, I realized to respect and have fun variations. Touring to totally different nations world wide, I embraced varied cultures and folks. These life classes have stayed with me, creating reminiscences that can final a lifetime.
Group impression has all the time 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 unimaginable. We regularly used our free days to return collectively and assist clear the Amsterdam canals, amongst different neighborhood actions.
At this time, I’m lucky to proceed pursuing my ardour by volunteering as an ocean coastguard and paramedic, due to 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 neighborhood 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 had been certainly recent graduates with massive goals and a little bit of uncertainty. Via CSAP, we discovered our paths and have now turn into profitable leaders, guiding the subsequent technology at the moment. The classes I realized in CSAP are:
- Thrive for excellence in every thing you do.
- Be buyer and associate obsessed. All the time put them first.
- Be a folks individual. Deal with your colleagues, clients, and companions with respect and empathy.
The way in which CSAP taught us easy methods to present up and interact with our clients, companions, and colleagues is the most important game-changer. I attempt to use that lesson to empower and coach the folks in my groups. Treating folks proper is crucial to doing enterprise the best method.
I typically obtain suggestions from our clients and companions in regards to the account managers on my group, their values, how they construct belief, and symbolize Cisco’s values. I’m extremely proud that almost all of them come from CSAP. Throughout my journey. I additionally had the honour to be a CSAP Chief and instantly form the evolution of this system and onboard prime expertise for Cisco. I managed to move on my classes and empower folks 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 believed I might 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 into the most effective springboard for my profession, offering unimaginable experiences and most significantly, lifelong associates. Lately, we celebrated a giant 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 mother and father, profession modifications, and different milestones collectively. It’s been an unimaginable journey!
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 strong basis constructed by the event path it establishes.
I hope my classes and story will encourage you to be open to new alternatives and all the time be form to folks round you. You by no means know when you’ll meet somebody or get right into a scenario that may change the course of your total profession and life.
Stephan and the EMEA CSAPers have accomplished wonderful issues over the previous 20 years. Interested by what Cisco has completed in its 40 years? Take a look at the 2024 Objective Report to see our impression!
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