Cross-functional apprentice Review

As an apprentice at Cisco, I have the opportunity to rotate around different business departments and have 3 role assignments to help me evaluate where I fit better within the organization. The apprenticeship enables us to gain valuable skills and build work experience as well as work towards a degree in technology. Unlike university graduates, as apprentices we get to meet hundreds of employees within the same business, build a large contacts network and work with experts who are already doing the job we want to end up doing by the end of our program. By the end of each role assignment, we are expected to produce a portfolio of work that demonstrates what we learned from our role, and this is a good way for us to do our best to learn more about the role we have been assigned and our responsibilities. My current job involves configuring devices, fixing customer issues with their network, helping build projects, as well as interacting with all engineers within the department to broaden my knowledge of the technologies we use.

I have done many internal trainings such as Security Ninja, Wireless training, lab training, CCNP Switch course. Working at cisco has helped me strengthen my interpersonal skills; presentation skills and build self-confidence when meeting new people.

I really like the company culture, everyone is willing to help, there are a lot of opportunities to evolve and learn something new every day. I enjoy working with my team and participate in the team bonding activities organised by our manager. The program has met my expectations, and I am really satisfied with the outcome.

I do feel valued by Cisco, a lot of internal people acknowledge the hard work I do, and they encourage me to do more. It's always a pleasure to say " I work for Cisco"

The programme is well structured from the Cisco side, but not as well organized from the QA side. The training/studying/support meetings are really well organised and structured by our managers, and I never had any confusion with what I am doing next in my rotation, or what my responsibilities are.

Our training provider (QA) enable us to access our course material and all the resources we need to complete the modules, however, we did not get semester dates confirmed, and we have a short sight on what the degree is really like. There is a lack of communication and poor structure methods from their side.

I get support from my manager, and I always get my questions answered when needed.

My salary meets my monthly expenditure; that includes travel cost, social cost, and daily cost.

Yes, there are plenty of events and activities, and many voluntary initiatives to support charities and promote the apprenticeship programme. We also have quarterly team bonding activities after work, to interact with all the new/old apprentices.

Yes

It is the best opportunity to start a career in IT, you get experience as well as a degree.

- Research about what the company do, and connect with people during the open events. - Be yourself during the interviews, all interviewers are friendly, do not panic! :) - Assessment days: come prepared, and give the best of yourself, be outgoing and speak to other applicants, they may be your future colleagues :) - Read about the apprenticeship program, there are blogs written by existing apprentices, and make sure that it is what you believe to be the best option for you. - The onboarding process is always fun, think about when you first get your badge and you have access to all the building :D - I would like to have been told not to stress too much during the assessment days and the onboarding process because it is all part of the new adventure.