How We’re Navigating Parenthood, Careers, and Connection at Cisco


As soon as upon a time, there have been two Stanford College staff — a husband and spouse — who weren’t in a position to electronic mail each other as a result of their computer systems had been on totally different networks. Finally, they found out a solution to join their computer systems, growing the multiprotocol router.

A man and a woman holding up mugs.

The yr was 1984, and this new connection … properly, it’s how Cisco was born!

And due to the improvements of Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, my husband and I are right here immediately. You see, I’m a Collaboration Gross sales Specialist at Cisco, and my husband, Scott, is a Gross sales Admin at Meraki. You could possibly name us Mrs. Webex and Mr. Meraki — however for the file, I used to be right here first!

I began my Cisco journey in March 2021, which I owe to a fellow Cisconian who pushed me to use for my function. I clearly talked sufficient about how a lot I liked working right here that in January 2022, when Scott noticed a possibility that suited his background and skillset come up in Meraki, he jumped on the likelihood to use. I’m so glad he did!

As a lot as I used to be initially cautious of working on the similar place as my husband, notably as a fiercely impartial particular person (as he’ll attest to!), it has turned out to be the very best transfer for us as a pair and as a household. It’s simply as properly that Cisco is such a BIG organisation, a lot in order that regardless that my husband and I are each Cisconians working from the identical place (more often than not), we very not often “run into each other” at work.

As dad and mom, Scott and I each really feel so grateful to work for an organisation like Cisco — a office that actually values working households and places the suitable instruments and advantages in place to assist us as we juggle working and household life. Our oldest son, Charlie, was simply 18 months outdated once I joined Cisco. Now, he’s almost 5 and is huge brother to child Brodie, who not too long ago turned one. From maternity go away to the return to work assist I obtained after having Brodie, coupled with the healthcare and monetary advantages we obtain right here, as a girl seeking to progress in her profession and lift a household, Cisco makes it really feel doable.

Woman, man, and two kids.Our tradition that places folks earlier than all else makes having a profession right here a pleasure. Within the metropolis we’re each from, Glasgow, there’s a saying, “Individuals make Glasgow.” I really feel the identical approach about Cisco. The folks right here actually make Cisco what it’s. From supportive managers to caring, hardworking, and enjoyable teammates, we’re surrounded by good folks day by day.

As for a way we juggle all of it? The pliability of hybrid work is essential for us as a household. Scott works predominantly from dwelling, whereas I take a blended method. I’m a Collaboration Specialist in any case! Some days, I earn a living from home; some days, I’m going into the workplace, and different days I’m on the go. Fortunately, with Webex we’ve received all of the expertise at our fingertips to make “working from anyplace” doable.

My function — overlaying Scotland and Eire — features a little bit of travelling, which, as a mum with two younger children, requires planning and the correct of assist. Fortunately, with Scott having the flexibleness to earn a living from home and be round for the children’ nursery drop-offs and pick-ups once I’m away, I don’t have any of the added fear or mum guilt that normally comes with work journey.

One other added bonus we’ve discovered as a pair and as dad and mom working on the similar place is our holidays align! We are able to additionally use the perks and advantages right here at Cisco, like Time2Give — 80 hours of paid day without work along with our common paid day without work — to assist initiatives at our children’ nurseries or initiatives in our area people collectively. There’s one draw back, nonetheless: a Day for Me — a quarterly day without work for the entire firm to prioritise well-being — isn’t ever actually a day for ME. It’s a day for us!

Scott and I’ve been collectively for 17 years. We’ve studied in numerous cities, travelled around the globe with and with out one another, and seen one another by our fair proportion of excellent and not-so-good jobs. Now, it’s simply nice to each be settled someplace like Cisco whereas navigating these whirlwind early years as dad and mom collectively.

Child looking at a computer screen. It has additionally at all times been Scott’s dream for us to lift our children within the small village the place he grew up. For therefore a few years, I used to be reluctant to strive the concept as a result of there was no practice station and no straightforward commute to work. Now, with the flexibleness of Cisco’s hybrid work tradition that we each take pleasure in and the connection that’s doable due to the pioneering expertise that Cisco was based on, we’re dwelling in that little “dream” village in any case — and the commute a couple of times per week actually isn’t so dangerous. In reality, as a busy mum, the 40-minute solo automotive journey is definitely a deal with!

Are you prepared to start out your Cisco journey? Discover the chances.

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