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On my first day at Cisco, I used to be nervous and excited on the similar time. I spent my time onboarding, studying the instruments, processes and procedures, changing into a part of a mission administration group, and attending to know my coworkers. I even joined the Related Black Professionals Inclusive Neighborhood, which a few of my closest coworkers have been members of. I felt part of the Cisco household from Day One. In just some months, my supervisor was already having discussions with me about my subsequent profession transfer. Wait, what? I simply obtained right here.
5 months later, time utterly stopped once I heard, “Ms. Williams, I’m so sorry to tell you that you’ve got been recognized with Stage I breast most cancers.”
As soon as I obtained previous the primary evening of crying, I spotted I’d lose my job with this prognosis. I used to be an emotional wreck. I used to be so afraid to inform my supervisor about my prognosis as a result of I knew I’d get terminated. I even began searching for different monetary choices.
Properly, to my shock, my dialogue with my supervisor went utterly reverse to my expectations. He mentioned, “You might be in a battle to your life proper now. You have got quite a lot of issues to fret about, however your job just isn’t considered one of them.”
He additionally advised me about and inspired me to make the most of the medical profit that enables us to get a second opinion. I used to be capable of see one other physician in Boston with out even leaving my home. She reviewed my paperwork, answered all my questions, and made me really feel safe.
And that’s when my Cisco household stepped in and stepped up for me.
I spent all the yr of 2019 in therapy, together with two main surgical procedures. To start with, my oncologists mentioned I couldn’t work as a result of the chemo was so harsh, however I couldn’t let most cancers beat me. So, my supervisor and I compromised, and I labored on one mission.
My group checked on me every day. “How are you feeling right this moment? Is there something that you just want?”
As a mission supervisor, it’s my job to ensure every part stays on observe, however there have been instances once I didn’t need my shoppers to see me bald from the chemo, or the unintended effects from the medicine have been an excessive amount of, or I used to be in therapy, and my group obtained on flights, went to in-person conferences, and took on what I couldn’t. They jumped in so seamlessly and selflessly; even individuals I labored with at Cisco didn’t know I used to be sick.
And Related Black Professionals (CBP) members surrounded me with real Cisco love. They stored me going with their calls, texts, flowers, and visits. It was the little issues, too. The articles they despatched for me to learn and the workout routines they shared which may assist my restoration. The ladies I used to be closest with even introduced me groceries and took me to my remedies. There have been days I couldn’t see the tip of the rainbow — I couldn’t see myself right this moment — and so they obtained me via them. The emotional assist? Oh, they gave it to me.
Three years later, I’m nonetheless shocked I obtained the sort of assist and have an amazing quantity of affection and loyalty to Cisco. My CBP household nonetheless checks in on my children and me. I’m taking over tougher tasks, and people profession progress and future plan talks with my supervisor are again on observe.
I do know why Cisco is voted #1 Greatest Office within the U.S. — this tradition can’t be duplicated. I put on my Cisco shirts with satisfaction! That is house, and we’re household.
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