I didn't know much about Cisco initially, but I did know that the culture and work-life balance I experienced for the past five years was far from ideal. It was common for me to work 12-14-hour days as an order creator and order manager in telecommunications. Exceeding expectations typically resulted in a simple thank you and even more work.

Despite my passion for the job and maintaining a positive mental attitude, I realized that my role wasn't fostering much personal or professional growth. I needed a career that would not only provide financial stability for my family but also allow me to be present in their lives.

Fortunately, I had a good friend who was my former coach and supervisor and is now working for Meraki. He spoke highly of Cisco's work culture and introduced me to OneTen, a program that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the corporate world by supporting skilled, professional, and experienced minorities, like me.

When I was interviewed by my recruiter, she asked, "What is your desired salary?" I gave her a number. She responded with, "Why are you undervaluing yourself? Why not more?" I was puzzled at first, because I had never truly questioned my worth. She and that moment fundamentally changed how I perceived my value.

Once I was selected for the program, I still had to wait for positions to become available through my recruiter. In the meantime, I applied for multiple roles, ranging from sales to internships. With a family to support, I also took on a second job.

A few months later, my recruiter invited me to attend Cisco Radiate 2023 at the Coda building Atlanta Tech Square office, an event designed for Black employees, allies, and professionals, hosted by Cisco's Connected Black Professionals Inclusive Community, for networking and mingling. This is where I truly understood what Cisco's culture was all about. I expected the event to be extremely formal and was prepared to sell myself, but to my surprise, everyone was casual, outgoing, and genuinely interested in getting to know me, even though I wasn't yet part of the Cisco family. That night felt like a celebration and it ignited a fire in me-this is where I wanted to be.

Fast forward through a few denied job applications, I remained hopeful and applied for anything that was recommended, including more internship roles and an entry-level position in the Associate Sales Representative Cisco Sales Associates Program (ASR-CSAP). As you might guess, I was denied. At this point, it was difficult not to feel a bit discouraged, but I was determined to persevere for the sake of my family.

A few days later, I was surprised to receive an email invitation to interview for the ASR-CSAP program. My recruiter reached out to ensure I was fully prepared for the three-stage interview process. Although, my calendar indicated a presentation, my assessors had a roleplay scheduled. Regardless, I used this opportunity to shine by adapting to the situation and highlighting my soft skills and ability to troubleshoot.

When I received my offer letter, I was beyond ecstatic. OneTen further helped me develop my skillset in Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Word to prepare for my new role.

Since joining Cisco, I've grown both personally and professionally, and I've had the opportunity to network with various levels of leadership. I wake up each morning with a smile because I'm happy with where I work and feel that what I do is truly valued. My wife now jokingly says she's jealous of me because of the huge smile I have when I'm heading to work.

I now place a higher value on mental health, can provide for my family without fear, and have developed a better relationship with my wife and four boys thanks to Cisco's work-life balance.

Now that I have graduated from the CSAP program and am transitioning into my new role, I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible journey so far. I am thrilled to embark on this exciting new chapter and am eager to contribute to a vibrant and rewarding career with Cisco.

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