Imagine this: You are fresh from the university, a daughter with big dreams and a little uncertainty. During their recent internal, they often felt lost and tried to navigate without proper guidance of busy supervisors. You had to figure it out for yourself. This is how my career journey begins.
In 1999 I went to San Jose State University as part of the exchange program to study the trade for a year. It was the height of the bubble dot-com and Cisco was the best company that everyone tried to connect.
When I am at San Jose State University, I worked as a lifeguard in the campus pool. This is where I gave Andrew, Cisco employed, who woven into the pool with my sound every day. We talked a lot and we really got together. When I was preparing to return to France for an internship, Andrew had another idea. A thought that changed my life forever. “Why do you do an internship in Cisco?” And the rest is history!
Two years later, after completing his studies in Paris, my manager encouraged me to ask for the program Cisco Sales Associates Program (CSAP). CSAP is specially designed to develop fresh graduates into future leaders by providing an understanding and invaluable workplace experience.
So I took this Radu-I reported, was accepted, went to Amsterdam and joined the first EMEA cohort of the award-winning program Cisco Sales Associates!
Impact of csap
When I first arrived at the rainy Amsterdam to set up CSAP, I was so excited that I went to the office, waited for classes and met new friends. This opportunity was my feeling of success and I wanted it sixteen on the full.
At first I learned that business is far beyond what they learn in books and learn in the classroom. CSAP allows you to learn through an example of real life. You are associated with successful leaders and devoted mentors who have indeed committed to your growth, and step by step lead you to building trust and skills.
Second, I learned to respect and celebrate the differences. I traveled to different countries around the world and have accepted different cultures and people. These lessons of life remained with me and created memories that last all their lives.
The community impact has always been the main part of Cisco’s DNA, from the beginning, and the values I gained during the year in Amsterdam are really incredible. We often used our free days to join and help clean up Amsterdam channels, including community activities.
Today I am lucky to continue watching my passion by volunteering as a coastline and ocean rescuers, thanks to the paid time of Cisco – time off, except for our holiday only for volunteering.
The opportunity to have this time to help the community is what really makes a difference. Each of us in Cisco has the ability to drive into a more inclusive future for all.
CSAP lesson
Looking back, we were really fresh graduates with big dreams and a little uncertainty. Through CSAP we found our ways and now we have become successful leaders and today we led the next generation. Tea Learned in CSAP are:
- Prosper for perfection in everything you do.
- Be obsessed with a customer and a partner. He could always be the first.
- Be a human man. Treat your colleagues, customers and partners with respect and empathy.
The way CSAP has taught us, how to show and participate with our customers, partners and colleagues is the biggest game converter. I try to use this lesson to strengthen the position and train people in my teams. Treatment of people correctly is necessary for business in the right way.
I often receive feedback from our customers and partners about account managers in my team, their values, how to build cisco confidence and values. I am incredibly proud that most of them come from CSAP. During my journey. I also had the honor of being the leader of CSAP and directly to shape the development of the program and on board the highest talent for Cisco. I managed to pass on my lessons and seize people to excel and be great in what they were doing, developing and raising the pattern of excellence, which has established me during my CSAP days.
MEETING
After completing the program and returning to Paris, I got a job in Lyon. As a real third -generation Parisian (which is ready rare!), I needed some time to get the idea of movement. I thought I would be in Lyon for only a few years. But here, 20 years later, I am still in Lyon and now the director of global virtual sales and engineering, still growing and prospering with Cisco.
My journey with Cisco started when I was a lifeguard. I knew a little that CSAP would become the best spring bridge for my career, giving incredible experiences and the smallest, lifelong friends. We recently celebrated a big milestone: 20th anniversary of the first Cohorta CSAP EMEA.
20 years ago, 44 from the USA Csapers launched this trip. We shared so many moments of life – weddings, we became parents, career changes and other milestones together. It was an incredible ride!
All subsequent cocks of the program will be able to connect with a special bond that CSAP creates in their lives and their numerous careers in Cisco and the industry arising from a solid foundation created through the developmental path determined.
I hope my lessons and story inspire you to be open to new opportunities and are always kind to the people around you. You never know when you meet someone or get into a situation that can change the race of your entire career and life.
Stephan and EMEA Csapers have had amazing things over the last 20 years. Are you wondering what Cisco has achieved in 40 years? Look at 2024 Purpose Report see in the impact!
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