When I first walked into Cisco Bengaluru, I thought I was stepping into my first corporate job.
I expected technical learning, meetings, deadlines, and maybe a little nervousness. And yes, all of that happened. But what I did not expect was how much Cisco would teach me beyond the work — lessons that had nothing to do with code, but everything to do with how to show up as a person.
Cisco is my first company, so in many ways, everything I know about professional life started here.
At the beginning, I was excited, but also a little unsure. Starting my career here felt like standing at the edge of something big. I wanted to learn quickly, contribute meaningfully, and prove that I belong. But at the same time, I was still figuring out how to turn my classroom knowledge into real-world experience.
On my first day, I was excited but unsure about reaching out to my manager or what to even ask. When I messaged him, he called me and asked me to meet him. I was expecting a meeting in the office, but he took me out for ice cream. We didn’t start with technical things; he just asked about me, shared about himself, explained the team and organization, and told me I could reach out to him anytime. That moment made me feel welcome and less nervous, especially being new to Bangalore and away from home for the first time.
I got lucky to be part of an amazing and genuinely chill team. From the start, they made the environment feel comfortable. I never felt like I had to pretend to know everything. I could ask questions, make mistakes, learn, and try again. For example, when I was assigned to monitor dev sanity and a bug came up that I couldn’t debug, I had to answer for it in a staff meeting. I got nervous and started fumbling, but my teammates stepped in and supported me. My manager and mentor helped me debug it without pressure or judgment, just patience and guidance, letting me know I wasn’t alone.
My best learning moments didn’t happen in formal training sessions. They happened during casual coffee breaks, quick explanations from teammates, and other moments beyond the desk. Whether it was a team lunch, a casual conversation, or a joke during a busy day, those random bonding moments made my experience even more special. They helped me see my teammates not just as people I work with, but as people I could learn from, laugh with, and feel comfortable around. Team outings, in particular, gave me a different kind of connection. Outside the usual work environment, our conversations became more relaxed as we talked about life, interests, and the small stories that help you understand people better. Those moments built trust in a way that made collaboration feel more natural.
I understand now that learning at Cisco isn’t all in the tools, processes, or technical skills, but in how I communicate, handle feedback, take ownership, and grow through everyday experiences.
My team showed me that confidence doesn’t come all at once; it builds slowly through being trusted with responsibility, when my questions turn into larger discussions, and I see the impact of my work. That clicked for me when I got my first live project and fixed my first bug. After explaining my changes in a stand-up call, I couldn’t deny the feeling that my work was meaningful and that I was truly part of something bigger.
When people ask what makes Cisco different, I think about the energy of the Bengaluru campus, where there is ambition but also warmth, and where I never feel like I have to face challenges alone. The biggest change I see in myself is that I’m more confident and open now. I communicate more freely and push myself to learn and grow from every new challenge.
Now, I don’t just have work experience; I have real-life experience, and that has been Cisco’s greatest gift to me. It’s shaped not only my career, but how I approach life, and I am grateful that my journey started in a place where learning feels natural, people genuinely care, and growth goes far beyond the work.
My biggest takeaway is simple: my first job isn’t just about what I learn; it is about who helps me grow while I do it. And for me, that comes from Cisco and my team.
Discover a place where your growth matters just as much as the work you do. Explore open roles and join our team at careers.cisco.com.
