2023-October-16

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Embracing Inclusive Communities: How Cisco Supports Everyone

BY CLAUDIA KOSTICH · INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST · UNITED STATES

WITH HELEN GALL

2 MINUTE READ · 4 MINUTE LISTEN

Before joining Cisco, I was a healthcare worker. However, I had reached a stage where I no longer felt stimulated or challenged in my role and began looking for new opportunities.

In my free time, I started dabbling in IT — playing with Linux and fixing computers and printers at the hospital where I worked. I often resolved support tickets before IT arrived. Then, during the pandemic, my opportunity to join Cisco came.

While studying in a cybersecurity program, I entered Cisco through a partnership with the school where I was studying.

I started as an on-site Test Engineer in the Next Generation Networking lab, recreating test beds in RTP’s labs. With the help of my team, I was quickly immersed and felt comfortable with this career pivot.

I was then selected to be in a cohort of the New and Recent Grad Program. There, I was able to build crucial business and agility skills in technical rotations within repair engineering, Security in Solution Validation Services, and then Supply Chain Security team, where I’m now an information security analyst.

With the change in career came waves of imposter syndrome and feelings of doubt.

But I found support and a sense of belonging within Cisco’s Inclusive Communities. I joined Conexión to find others in tech who I could relate to. I quickly made great friends and connections and soon joined as a chapter lead to contribute more.

As a chapter lead, I’ve had the opportunity to grow our engagement in the Conexión RTP chapter, lead social events, help new Cisconians learn about our inclusive communities, and even speak at a multi-company event Hispanics in Technology panel.

In recent Latin and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, I listened to many speakers who touched upon happiness and self-identity, courageous stories and careers that were not linear, and navigating different cultures and finding purpose or Ikigai, a Japanese concept combining iki (“alive” or “life”) and gai (“benefit” or “worth").

Through the Conexión community, I have had the chance to network and connect with so many other employees in different organizations within Cisco, like myself.

Their parents were also immigrants. English was not their first language, and they remember the early struggles of discrimination, lack of inclusivity, language barriers, and lack of resources, too — to name a few.

As a proud second-generation Peruvian immigrant, I am grateful that Cisco recognizes all our differences and encourages me to be myself. Being part of an Inclusive Community at Cisco opens up endless possibilities and exposure. I strongly encourage everyone to explore the various communities that Cisco provides.

If you missed the Latin and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, you can check out the replays.

Related Links

• Our Impact - CSR and Time2Give
• Cisco Purpose Report 2022
• Careers at Cisco

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