US/Canada

What is it like to work here?

Cisco is a confluence of buzz words, acronyms, ambitious goals, Star Trek-like teleconferencing technology, and a proud start-up legacy. Spread across 40+ buildings in sunny San Jose, Cisco is powered by friendly, down to earth, technology focused and accounting/finance savvy employees. Working in the Corporate Development Finance group responsible for acquisition financial due diligence is intellectually stimulating and fast paced.

What is a typical "day in the life" like? What do you spend your time doing?

8:30 am – Catch up on email & prep for day
9:00 am – Work on purchase price accounting worksheet to close out a previous deal
11:00 am – Jump on a due diligence call with internal business unit product managers to discuss revenue recognition implications of a potential acquisition
12:00 pm – Weekly intern luncheons with Cisco executives – today it’s a session with John Chambers with all 300 Cisco interns!
1:00pm – Dial in to 1st finance diligence team call with target CFO
3:00 pm – Sync up with manager to review diligence materials and identify key accounting and finance issues before next diligence meeting with target CFO
5:30 pm – Switching gears… finalize finance presentation slides to summarize an investment opportunity in a startup
7:00 pm – Go home to enjoy the California summer

How do you work together with your team?

Ad-hoc meetings and debriefs, conference calls, team meetings, Email, and instant messages.

Why did you choose to work at Cisco?

I believe that an internship should be a give and take proposition. Throughout my internship search, I looked for opportunities where I would be able to contribute in a meaningful way as well as learn something new. I chose Cisco because the opportunity fit both my background and my future goals. My finance and accounting background enabled me to plug directly into the group to make an impact on a day-to-day basis. But more importantly, being an industry switcher, the Cisco internship gave me the opportunity to develop my technology industry and mergers and acquisition knowledge with one of the most respected technology companies in the world.

What is your favorite thing about working here?

Deals, deals, deals! The opportunity to be a part of the Cisco acquisition process has been incredible.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in joining Cisco?

Make sure you:

• have defined your goals for the summer and understand how Cisco will help you reach your goal
• understand the Cisco corporate culture
• are passionate about technology
• can contribute to the team that you will be joining