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 by 3 months but 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; 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) and systems engineering. We have started working with supply chain and marketing teams as well.
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 manager. After initial onboarding and 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.