US/Canada

Why did you choose to work at Cisco?

I actually did my MBA internship at an investment bank on the East Coast. I had a fantastic experience and liked the industry, but before making a decision on my full-time offer, I wanted to make sure I explored all my options. After interviewing with Cisco and seeing how limitless the opportunities were, I was sold! There is an amazing energy here and a real sense of focusing on making things happen rather than getting discouraged by obstacles that might typically impede others. For me, this was a complete shift in mind set, and I actually find that I tend to view everything in a different light now, both inside and outside of work.

What do you like about working here?

One of the great things about HR is that you can do it for any company in any industry, but I find it especially satisfying to work for a company that has such far-reaching impact on how people connect with one another. The technology itself is impressive. What the technology helps people to do is inspiring.

I also take pride in working for a company that is committed to being a good corporate citizen. Whether it is matching volunteer hours with contributions toward an organization of choice or distributing Eco Pass stickers for employee badges so that people can ride the light-rail into work for free, it feels good to work for a company that encourages you to do what you can for the community and the environment.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Before moving to California, I never thought of myself as a West Coast girl and I certainly didn't consider myself to be outdoorsy. I moved purely for the professional opportunity...but it really is amazing what perfect year-round weather and the absence of pesky bugs can do for a person. (I really cannot stress the bug-free component enough.) There are a lot of great places to hike in the area, and when it comes to winter sports, Tahoe is only a few hours away. I've become a big fan of snowboarding and even managed to make it down my first blue square this past season!

What keeps you excited about working at Cisco?

There are two main reasons why I stay at Cisco:

1. The flexibility: Working here isn't about punching a time card; it's about achieving results. I really value the freedom that this affords. Sometimes I work best sitting at my cube, and sometimes ideas flow better with a little caffeine in the system and a nice view. The part that really matters is the end game, and I love feeling empowered to find my own path to the finish line.
2. The opportunities: I recently relocated to Atlanta for a year to work for the organization formerly known as Scientific Atlanta. Two months before moving here, I had no idea this was even a possibility. My program director approached me about the position one day, and the next thing I knew, I was making moving arrangements! So far, Atlanta has been great. The Lawrenceville campus is beautiful; everyone I've met has been fantastic; and, being a reverse commuter, I get to breeze under "Spaghetti Junction" with no slowdown while ribbons of parking lots overlap overhead. The best part by far, though, is that I know I will learn a ton in this assignment, and, hopefully, I will get to play a small part in the success between these organizations.