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 e mail each other as a result of their computer systems had been on totally different networks. Finally, they discovered a option to join their computer systems, growing the multiprotocol router.

A man and a woman holding up mugs.

The 12 months was 1984, and this new connection … effectively, it’s how Cisco was born!

And due to the improvements of Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, my husband and I are right here right now. 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 position. I clearly talked sufficient about how a lot I beloved working right here that in January 2022, when Scott noticed a chance 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 identical place as my husband, significantly as a fiercely unbiased individual (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 effectively 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 hardly ever “run into each other” at work.

As mother and father, Scott and I each really feel so grateful to work for an organisation like Cisco — a office that really 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 previous after I joined Cisco. Now, he’s almost 5 and is huge brother to child Brodie, who lately 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 potential.

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

As for a way we juggle all of it? The pliability of hybrid work is vital for us as a household. Scott works predominantly from dwelling, whereas I take a blended strategy. I’m a Collaboration Specialist in spite of everything! Some days, I earn a living from home; some days, I am going into the workplace, and different days I’m on the go. Fortunately, with Webex we’ve obtained all of the know-how at our fingertips to make “working from wherever” potential.

My position — masking Scotland and Eire — features a little bit of travelling, which, as a mum with two younger youngsters, requires planning and the proper 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 after 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 mother and father working on the identical place is our holidays align! We will additionally use the perks and advantages right here at Cisco, like Time2Give — 80 hours of paid break day along with our common paid break day — to assist initiatives at our youngsters’ nurseries or tasks in our area people collectively. There’s one draw back, nevertheless: a Day for Me — a quarterly time off for the entire firm to prioritise well-being — isn’t ever really a day for ME. It’s a day for us!

Scott and I’ve been collectively for 17 years. We’ve studied in several cities, travelled around the globe with and with out one another, and seen one another via our justifiable share of fine and not-so-good jobs. Now, it’s simply nice to each be settled someplace like Cisco whereas navigating these whirlwind early years as mother and father collectively.

Child looking at a computer screen. It has additionally at all times been Scott’s dream for us to lift our youngsters within the small village the place he grew up. For therefore a few years, I used to be reluctant to attempt 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 potential because of the pioneering know-how that Cisco was based on, we’re dwelling in that little “dream” village in spite of everything — and the commute a couple of times per week actually isn’t so dangerous. In truth, as a busy mum, the 40-minute solo automotive journey is definitely a deal with!

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