For students and graduates alike, internships often serve as the foundation for building a successful career. Internships are designed to give you real-life experience and serve as the bridge between your tertiary theoretical knowledge and the practical application thereof. In addition to the experience gained, you will make key network connections and work among some of the most accomplished individuals in their respective fields.
If you’re considering an internship with tech giants Cisco, you may want to take a moment to read the article below. Cisco has nearly 80,000 employees worldwide. Getting accepted for an internship with Cisco among the sea of applicants is no easy feat.
Below is some vital information regarding the application process, minimum requirements, and what you can expect if you’re successful in helping you with the best chance of landing one of the most sought-after internships in the world. So without further ado, let’s take a look at how to apply for Cisco internship opportunities.
Application Process
We’ll begin with the basics. Cisco offers its internship programs twice a year, known as the Summer and Winter internships. Bear in mind the summer and winter are according to the US time of year, so be sure to check their website regarding the internship availability, dates for application submissions, and commencement of the internship if successful.
If you’ve decided that you want to proceed with an application, here’s the basic application process:
- Go to www.cisco.com
- Find and click on the careers tab
- Click on browse all jobs
- Filter by “intern” in job type
- Select the internship position you would like to apply for from the list
- Read the job spec and click apply
- Complete and submit your application form
And voila, your application is complete, or is it?
Tip: While completing the application process above gives you an opportunity of being accepted, your chances will be significantly increased if you’re able to make a personal connection with a recruiter or manager for Cisco. This may be the differentiating factor between you and the next candidate, and there are a number of ways that you can do so.
Cisco is present at most trade fairs, recruitment events, and information sessions. They also often conduct outreach through university visits, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for when they’re at yours or another university in your area. If you’re unable to make contact in person, you can still make connections online through sites such as LinkedIn.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you consider applying to Cisco, it’s worth looking at the criteria required for candidates to be accepted. There are several different types of internships in each work field; however, each of them will stipulate the minimum requirements expected from applicants, which include but are not limited to:
- Educational qualifications – B.E, B. Tech, M.E, M. Tech, MBA, etc. are among the more common qualification required. In most instances, they will also state if students are eligible to apply and up to what year they must have completed before being considered.
- Minimum GPA – In the US, the minimum requirement is usually 3.0; however, this may vary depending on your location, job area of interest, and the educational grading system used in your country.
- Location requirements – You must be able to attend work at the given location.
- Specific preferences – This varies depending on the area of interest that you intend to apply.
If you do not meet any criteria requirements, you can still apply, but you should be aware that your chances of acceptance are slim. Therefore, it may be worth looking for additional opportunities that suit your criteria and will also give you alternatives if your application is declined.
What to Expect After Applying
Once you’ve completed the application process discussed above, the wait begins for a response. There’s nothing worse than waiting for that call or email to determine your fate. This is where having a personal connection with a recruiter for Cisco becomes very handy, as they will be able to keep you up to date with the selection proceedings.
Having your application shortlisted is by no means the end of the application process and doesn’t guarantee you the position. Once shortlisted, candidates are contacted to set up the
next step, which is usually a written test. Depending on the area of interest, there may be more than one test required to be completed.
Upon completing the written test and assuming you pass successfully, the next step involves a personal interview conducted by the hiring manager or an appointed representative of Cisco. During these interviews, hiring managers do not focus entirely on how much you know but more on your desire to participate, willingness to learn, and curiosity. Other common considerations are your background, community role, and other organizations’ participation levels. Once the interview is conducted, your application process is complete, and it’s time to wait for the result.
If you have been successfully accepted, you will receive all information about the commencement date, expectations, and the stipend you will receive. On your first day, you will go through an orientation to learn more about the company and the people you will be working with. You will also receive a tour of the offices and a run-down of the program features and benefits.
Conclusion
Applying for an internship with Cisco can be an arduous task. Preparation and understanding are extremely important to ensure that you complete the process correctly and timeously. While completing the online application form is required for you to be considered for the position, this should not be your only method of making a connection with the company.
Cisco is a market leader in its field and is among the best employers in the world. This makes them a desirable option for thousands, even millions of graduates and professionals worldwide; therefore, being prepared and taking steps to improve your chances of being noticed will be pivotal to your successful recruitment. We hope that these tips above have helped you on your journey to a job at Cisco.