MISL was started in 2018 by two U.S. veterans that wanted to give back to the veteran community by supporting transitioning service members. Since then, it has expanded from one area at Cisco to multiple business lines and regions. Our team has grown rapidly, and we are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for veterans and Cisco.
Pathways
Cisco offers specialized pathways designed to translate military leadership and technical discipline into high-impact civilian careers. MISL participants can pursue fellowships in Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, Strategic Programs (formerly Project Management), and Splunk.
While each track has specific technical benchmarks and suggested certifications, we are looking for candidates who demonstrate the agility to thrive in a fast-paced technology environment. With hundreds of applicants each year, your mission is to showcase how your unique background and technical curiosity make you a standout candidate for the future of Cisco.
Minimum Candidate Requirements
- Military Transition: Must be a transitioning active-duty veteran with a strong interest in a customer-facing or technical career in technology.
- Program Eligibility: Candidates must be eligible for SkillBridge or other applicable corporate fellowship programs.
- Proven Excellence: A documented top performer in your military occupational specialty and among your peers.
- Core Drive: A relentless passion to learn, grow, and deliver meaningful impact within a global team.
- Adaptive Leadership: A proven track record of taking initiative and leading through ambiguous or high-pressure situations.
- Professional Mindset: A self-driven, resilient, and positive attitude.
- Technical Aptitude: A strong aptitude for adopting Cisco technologies and a proactive motivation to deepen platform expertise.
Sales
Creative problem solvers with a consultative approach and ability to clearly communicate complex ideas.
- Bachelors degree or translatable Military skill relevant to sales & engineering
Engineering
Ability to articulate technology designs at technical and nontechnical levels
- Certification of CCNA or above
Strategic Programs & Other Pathways
- Certifications (helpful but not required): Scrum master, PMP, and CISSP.
Upcoming webinars
Cisco/SkillBridge
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 6:00pm EST | (UTC-06:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Cisco/SkillBridge
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 6:00 pm | (UTC-06:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Cisco/SkillBridge
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 6:00 pm | (UTC-06:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Cisco/SkillBridge
Wednesday, July 15 2026 6:00 pm | (UTC-06:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Cisco/SkillBridge
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 6:00 pm | (UTC-06:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Cisco/SkillBridge
Wednesday, Nov 18, 2026 6:00 pm | (UTC-06:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Alumni spotlight
Dylan, 2021 MISL alumnus
"The MISL program at Cisco gave me a unique opportunity to use the skills I gained at JCU to join an amazing team and start my career in the civilian tech industry."
Clay, 2020 MISL alumnus
"After 23 years in uniform, I was unsure what path lay ahead of me. I came across an old friend at a transition event who told me about the MISL program and pushed me to pursue it. I won't say that it has been easy...a new career, the pandemic, all the events of summer 2020...but with the support of my team here and the MISL program, even this old soldier has learned some new tricks."
Hannah, 2020 MISL alumnus
"As I transitioned from the army, I had many goals in mind for the type of company I wanted to land in. Cisco has fulfilled 100% of those goals and the environment here is welcoming and exciting with a healthy dose of familiar, thanks to the MISL community."
FAQs
Q. How long is the SkillBridge with Cisco program?
A. It lasts a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 6 months.
Q. How soon before my transition should I reach out?
A. Reach out at least 3 months before your transition date, but ideally not longer than 6 months before your transition.
Q. What locations are available?
A. The Cisco Sales team is geographically dispersed, and many employees work remotely. There may be a concentration of opportunities in some offices but this will vary all the time; being geographically flexible will increase your potential for full-time hire.
Q. How do I apply?
A. Please fill out this application, and email us with any additional questions.
Q. What can help make my transition to Cisco SkillBridge smoother?
A. Being interested in a particular pathway will make your transition smoother. We offer Sales (which focuses primarily on account management), Systems engineering, Strategic Programs, Supply Chain & Splunk. Availability will depend on how many Veterans we have in each pathway at one time.
Q. What if I am in a pathway and would like to change?
A. It can be difficult to change pathways during SkillBridge, but your program manager will be able to guide and advise you on your options and best fit.
Q. Do I need technical experience?
A. The sales pathway does not require it. You need an interest in technology and in solving customer problems. The engineering pathway requires technical experience; ideal candidates have a CCNA or above. However, those with strong technical experience and the ability to obtain a CCNA will be considered.
Q. Do I need sales experience?
A. No, but you need to be able to talk about a stakeholder objective, work with a cross-functional team to develop a solution, and present a plan clearly and effectively.
Q. I have security clearance; can I skip the background check?
A. No; we need a separate background check for our records.
Q. Am I guaranteed a role after my internship?
A. No. During this internship, we are assisting in training you for roles in specific areas of Cisco’s business. There are numerous training activities and milestones that must be met while we ensure a good fit for the next step in your career.
Q. What salary can I expect after my internship?
A. Salary is specific to the role and its location. Your program manager can speak with you about salary during the screening and interview process.
Q. Does the program run only on specific dates and timeframes?
A. Our program has some flexibility. We can accommodate individual fellowships as well as cohorts. Our cohort schedule lines up with the Hiring our Heroes schedule.
Q. What is training like?
A. MISL fellows will report to the MISL program leader. After the initial Bootcamp that covers your onboarding & orientation, fellows will be integrated into operational teams so that they will gain firsthand experience. The MISL team will have frequent mentorship sessions to help with the transition and training process.
Q. What if I am not SkillBridge eligible?
A. Please review the Talent Bridge for Veterans program or sign up for the American Corporate Partners (ACP) mentoring program.
Q. I am having problems with my application submission.
A. Please ensure that your resume is attached. Your application will not be able to be processed without your resume.