Cross Functional Apprentice Review

I am a second year apprentice at Cisco currently into a System Engineer role working with one of our biggest partners BTSP. Ona daily basis I have different tasks: - prepare presentations on Cisco latest features which could benefit BT and present to them - Help the TAC team to solve BT network issues by contacting directly customers or by looking at logs provided - Create network topology in our lab to test different topologies I normally spend most of the time with team but the job also consists of going to customer site and analyse their network live and understand what issues have been raised. BT Showcase is the main project i am currently working as well as some internal small projects which involves cases to be completed.

Since I have joined Cisco there are many skills i have learnt and that i am learning. Soft skills: Starting with communication - I have improved my professional language when dealing with customers and used a structured way of delivering my message when dealing with customers; then presentation skills - my job involved presenting to small to large number of people and this has booted up my presentation skills which helped me to develop. Thanks to Cisco and QA i have undertook many training course (presentation training, effective communication, etc) as well as technical training which helped my technical side to develop. Starting with CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate) which helped to buil a foundation of networking and then proceeded into CCNP. In additional to that i have undertook ITIL course which helped me to understand the non-technical side.

I absolutely love when i work! Cisco is not just work, but it also gives us time to interact with teams, spend time with them on external activities )Fun Fund, careers fairs, meetings). It allows us to network with people and being an international company there's a lot of mix culture and they way Cisco brings all these different cultures together is absolutely amazing! CISCO HAS CLEARLY EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!

Being an apprentice doesn't mean i am under rated by employees or managers. We are equally treated as the other employees and we also receive same responsibilities in projects and we also receive credits for something we do (we also receive Connected recognition). Cisco encourages us to grow and improve daily!

The programme is absolutely amazing and the way it is structure is great. We receive initial induction training where we are Cisco branded and then straight into several trainings (CCNA, Soft skills, etc) to build the foundation for the to be thrown into the real business. We are also given mentors which helps us to chose a suitable paths for us! As well as that we have recurring manager meetings to express our views on our progress and to improve any points which require help Cisco programme is very well structured and always ready to receive feedback to improbve!

We have regular meeting with QA which incredibly supports us!

We have constant support from manager or mentor when we need help! and they never complain about any issues and help me all the times

I would expect my salary to be a bit higher in the second or third year but is well competitive against other apprenticeships

absolutely! we have 5 days offered as time to give where we can spend them with local authorities and help promote our brand! We also go to careers fairs to local schools and to large event to promote Cisco!

Yes

Because Cisco is there to help you chose your path and pay to build a path for you and help you start a career

Bring Passion and Cisco will do the rest! Love what you do! BE YOURSELF!