This put up was authored by Allison Liu, a current UX Analysis Intern on the Expertise Design & Incubation (XDI) Workforce, a part of the Buyer Associate Expertise (CPX) Workforce.
Once I began on the College of California, Irvine, I used to be a music nerd trying to train little kids music. However then the pandemic hit, and I noticed its affect on varied musicians. It ranged from being unable to play music in particular person in orchestral, chamber music, and solo enjoying conditions to struggling to transition to on-line instructing settings. This hit me laborious since I didn’t know what to do if I couldn’t pursue music alone. I didn’t really feel safe.
With extra time on my arms, I made a decision to discover new areas I’d by no means skilled, particularly know-how. I targeted on taking elementary pc science, together with becoming a member of golf equipment associated to that discipline. Nonetheless, I noticed the logic behind detailed code doesn’t click on inside me.
It wasn’t till in the future I stumbled upon the UX/UI Design discipline, which unveiled that inventive considering in know-how via a special strategy was potential. From studying the basic design course of to constructing my first challenge, I really like how I can leverage real-world knowledge from customers to give you inventive and revolutionary options. I added a second main in Informatics, which examines the interaction of individuals and know-how. From there, I gained the basics of design and labored on solo and nonprofit tasks, serving to these needing help redesigning their web site platforms. I used to be lucky sufficient that each one these experiences at school and extracurriculars led me to my function at Cisco as a UX Design Intern in 2022 and UX Analysis Intern in 2023.
You would possibly marvel why I’d return to Cisco for 2 summers in a row. The primary cause is that I’m gaining beneficial profession expertise as a full-time intern and am nonetheless in a position to pursue my ardour for music as a result of Cisco gives flexibility in each my private and work life.
Once I heard in regards to the emphasis Cisco locations on work-life steadiness, I used to be skeptical at first. Now, again for my second yr, I do know the corporate has a real deal with worker well-being, and that is simply a part of it. My supervisor totally trusts me to get my work achieved, permitting me to have a versatile schedule, attend intern occasions, attend conferences, have solo work time, and take breaks when wanted. Throughout these break occasions, I research the scores for potential music that I’m taken with enjoying, follow my instrument, and even take a fast stretch outdoors for some sunshine, and once I come again, I’m extra engaged with my crew, extra targeted on my design and analysis work, and fewer burdened. Then, once I wrap issues up, I totally shut down work and activate music mode.
I volunteer at varied music organizations, together with By way of the Workers, the place I mentored two cello college students who had been unable to afford music classes, and the Jenny Lin Basis, the place I performed in a string quartet to elevate funds and promote the significance of kid security and music schooling. I additionally spend time jamming some chamber music with my buddies across the Bay Space. We play quite a lot of music, together with anime, pop, classical — you title it.
Ultimately, Cisco helps me obtain my desires as a musician whereas making me a greater worker. I’ve gained beneficial profession expertise, loved a versatile work schedule, accomplished challenge work that pursuits me, and skilled the work-life steadiness Cisco is so well-known for, making it a good spot to work.
Are you able to strike the correct steadiness in your profession? Discover a possibility now.
Subscribe to the WeAreCisco Weblog.
Share:
