From Hesitant Hire to Long-Term Cisco Team Member
When a friend encouraged her to apply for an open role at Cisco, she was hesitant. She made excuses and delayed but eventually applied and interviewed.
The hiring manager asked about her target at her previous company and mentioned that her number in Kenyan shillings wasn't even close to what it would be in dollars. She panicked but the manager reassured her that she would have everything needed to succeed.
After two interviews, she accepted the offer and was soon immersed in Cisco's culture of support and teamwork. She quickly realized that at Cisco, targets are not just given, but a team is provided to enable success.
Her journey with Cisco has been one of growth, in her career and as a person. She started as a Partner Account Manager and later became an Account Executive.
The company's sponsorship of the Lewa Marathon had a profound impact on her life. She signed up for the marathon, despite being unprepared, and finished her first 21K. Running has since become a natural part of her daily routine, helping her start each day before work.
Cisco introduced Pavelka, a program dedicated to employee well-being, which helped her understand the benefits of movement on the brain. This inspired her to be more mindful of her physical and mental health.
She became involved with two Inclusive Communities, Connected Black Professionals (CBP) and Women of Cisco, where she learned about empathy and addressing unconscious bias. She eventually took on a leadership role in CBP, Kenya, and continues to promote inclusivity and belonging in the workplace.