2015

Wendel

Wendel of Sao Paulo, Brazil thanks SENAI Suiço brasileiro | Centro Universitário SENAC Santo Amaro for helping with CCNA which led to a job as a Customer Success specialised in Enterprise Networking with a major technology firm.

“My point of entry in the industry was at SENAI and taking the Cisco Networking Academy course. The knowledge acquired helped me in my very first job and the fundamentals that I learnt still resonate with me to this day.”

Lucia

Lucia of Seoul, South Korea thanks Kyung Hee University for help with Networking (CCNA, CCNP), and IoT which led to a job as a Network Consulting Engineer in Automation and Data Center.

“When I started in Cisco Networking Academy I had no idea about networking. However, I was able to learn the most basic knowledge relating to the network with CCNA courses. I had the opportunity to deep dive my learning in routing and switching and it led me to Cisco. I did more courses including Introduction to IoT, which I was really interested in, and I found a fascination that I shared with other students, and they loved it. I was very pleased to share the fun of networking and see the students’ interest. I clearly recall the memory.”

Laura

Laura of Atlantico, Colombia thanks Institucion Universitaria ITSA for help with Networking (CCNA) which led to a job as a Technical Consulting Engineer Team Lead in the IT industry.

“I’ve always felt a passion for networking and really wanted to get an opportunity to work with Cisco. I decided to enroll in a CCNA course to start getting Cisco certifications. NetAcad was my first option and attending the course enabled me to participate in the Cisco NetRiders 2015 competition. Thanks to the great instructor I had and the study program, I was able to get in third place in the competition and won a voucher to do a certification exam. I chose CCNA and from there on, I had the skills which enabled me to get a job with a Cisco outsourcing company in Colombia. NetAcad was the door that led me to where I am right now; working directly with Cisco Mexico in the TAC organization and I continue to study to earn more certifications.”

Alim

Alim of U.S thanks Thomas A. Edison CTE High School for help with CCNA, CyberOps Associate, which led to a job as a Meraki Network Support Engineer in Cloud Networking.

“The skills I’ve learned from the Cisco Networking Academy have allowed me to venture into different industries and sectors with confidence in my problem-solving abilities because of the strong educational foundation provided by the Networking Academy. A few industries I’ve worked in include Healthcare SaaS, E-learning, Education, and Financial Services. I’ve achieved multiple certifications following my Networking Academy courses including: CCNP Enterprise, Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate, CompTIA CASP+, Server+, Security+, Network+, and A+. I also endeavor to continually learn new skills and technologies to keep my industry knowledge up to date.”

Hafiz

Hafiz of Pakistan thanks the Nanotechz Institute for help with Devnet which led to a job as cybersecurity consultant in the ICT sector.

“I first got inspired by the introductory classes of my telecommunication engineering journey under the guidance of highly qualified professors at my university. I was particularly interested in SecOps, Machine Learning for Security applications, sensor networks, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Multi-cloud and Antenna Design. I started working to gain professional certifications with Cisco, i.e., CCNA, CyberOps and DevNet Associates, followed by a few more major certifications, after which I became a CCAI (Cisco Certified Academy Instructor).

These have allowed me to work on different research articles that involved advanced technologies. While achieving these certifications, the thrill in me got me ahead. I worked on Programming and Simulation using advanced versions of software, like MATLAB, Python, HFSS, MultiSim, GNS3, EVE-NG, and many tools which helped me find clarity in my concepts with respect to hardware implementation. While in my 7th semester, I worked on a research project, ‘Exploiting UoS Web Server and Enterprise Network Vulnerabilities with Penetration Testing’ and received a distinction at University after submitting my thesis and final year research project.

This project was sponsored by the HEC, the idea bagged the first spot regionally and was among the top 10 globally. More recently, I proposed a methodology and working phenomenon to help improve cybersecurity culture to help advance the level of security. We launched the idea at the National Incubation Center as an Incubatee and developed it into a start-up program. I have also interned at two of the leading telecom companies i.e., PEL and Warid, where I worked on advanced networking projects. Throughout my internship, I developed a keen understanding of emerging technologies that inspired me to a point where I got myself enrolled in a project titled ‘An Offensive and Defensive Technical Approach of 5G for IoT and cloud computing networks”.
In this project, I developed two MATLAB Applications supported by python with fulfilling simulations via GNS3; one that finds the characters of a password on login and implements minimum login requirements, and another that generates munged passwords to ensure password hardening to perform network security hardening and monitoring. This helped me to land a cybersecurity consultancy role at one of the best banks in Pakistan. I have been serving at Google DSC community as a technical lead and at IEEEXtreme as a core team member where I refined my leadership skills. Due to this, I got the chance to work as a section lead for IEEEXtreme, Karachi Section. Moreover, I act as an active part of the NAVTTC Technical Training Centre, supported by the Government of Pakistan, where I educate students regarding scratch technical platforms and programming. All throughout, it has been a great and fruitful journey of my life. I believe this is just the beginning of success, knowing that I had little to no resources. I have and will keep giving my best to attain fruitful outcomes. I aim to focus and explore new ways to understand user specifications; precisely, the ability to structure and design our own ideas and then implement them by fulfilling industry standards; whilst having the ability to code and build software applications that can turn helpful for the transformation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. I seek to transform my ideas and make use of my problem-solving approach to become a good researcher that would help me to solve societal problems”.

Kutlwano

Kutlwano of South Africa thanks TCM Academy for help with CCNA which led to a job as Risk and Compliance Consultant in the IT payment sector.

“I have learnt to be fearless as a woman in IT, firstly, and to believe that I can be whatever I want and achieve it all. I had the opportunity to attend the Cisco Live event in Berlin in 2016 as a reward for being the top student (all expenses paid by TCM Academy). Since 2015, I went from being a Desktop Support Technician, to an IT Administrator, SOC Analyst, Network and Systems Engineer, and now in Risk and Compliance. NetAcad and TCM Academy were my starting point and opened all those doors for me. This is only the beginning; there’s still more to explore and achieve. My success story has also made other girls and young women see that they too can achieve all they set their mind to. That’s all it takes, changing the world by inspiring and giving hope to more women in IT and to continuing to be fearless.”

Winner

Winner of Nigeria thanks Federal Science and Technical College, Ijebu Imushin for help with networking which led to a job as IT Specialist in the transportation and logistics sector.

“With Cisco Networking Academy credentials, I was recognized during my recruitment phase, with a greater chance of employment amongst my equals. I didn’t stop at just one of the courses offered. When I got into the university, I discovered my school was an accredited training centre for Cisco, so I decided to join and take up courses. I’m presently engaged in another course. Cisco has been a great platform right from the start and I’m glad to be a part of it. Thank you, Cisco and happy anniversary!”

Pierre

Pierre of Canada thanks University of Picardie Jules Verne for help with CCNA, which led to a job as Infrastructure Manager in the education sector.

“Cisco Networking Academy has helped me grow and have a successful career in networking technologies and equipment management. To this day, I continue to take these well thought out and synthesized courses to refresh my mind on certain concepts and to learn new things. My experiences have been of service to the community. Happy 25th Anniversary Cisco Academy. Cheers!”

Anum

Anum of Pakistan thanks PTCL Academy for help with CCNA, Networking Essentials, Cybersecurity (CyberOps Associate), Cybersecurity Essentials, Introduction to Cyber Security, Network Security which led to a job as a Cyber Security Engineer in the IT Sector.

“In the society where I live in Pakistan, representation of women in the tech industry is insignificant. My story is similar yet very different from many girls here who strive to make a difference in their lives but do not succeed. I am among the privileged who strived and got direction, mentorship, and encouragement from Cisco Networking Academy.

After achieving my first certification from Networking Academy, I felt more confident and comfortable in interviews and started getting good job opportunities. I have secured my first job on the basis of my CCNA certification.

My certification gave me immense confidence with hands-on technical knowledge. I have surpassed many challenges and broken many stereotypes being a tech savvy female in a country where women are still struggling for opportunities. Now after a decade of working in the technical industry and being a part of the Networking Academy family, I always feel proud to see how Cisco has shaped the lives of many students and how they are encouraging many female students to come forward and to play their part in the development of their country.”

Clavin

Clavin of Democratic Republic of Congo thanks INPP & Artificial Intelligence Center for help with DevNet, CCNA, CyberOps Associate & CCNP which led to a job Founder of a Start-Up in the IT sector.

“The knowledge learned from Cisco has helped me to have an open mind, to create employment with my start-up business that offers local business IT services, ensuring network monitoring and security.”

Simon

Simon of Ghana thanks Datalink University for help with CCNA which led to a job as Network Administrator in the Automotive sector.

“Cisco has really been the backbone in my career to this moment. I had little chance to prove myself. With what I have learnt from Cisco, I was able to proudly prove myself and was given the job…. Thanks to Cisco.”