Paul Lewis' Journey at Cisco

Paul Lewis, a graduate of Ohio University, has found employment and a career as a member of Cisco’s California team.

Lewis graduated from OHIO in the Spring of 2014 with a major in VisCom and a focus in ITS.

Lewis gives a piece of advice to students and prospective members of the work force: “Put yourself in a position where you can be successful.” Lewis further elaborated by saying showing up will put you in a spot that is conducive to success. He also wanted to make note that taking advantage of all opportunities is an important aspect of career building, as well as being able to identify opportunity.

Lewis found out that he got the job in December 2013 after numerous interviews, meetings with higher-ups, presentations, and tests. The process in its entirety lasted around four months. Lewis had to fly out to Cisco’s California campus for his final round of interviews, which was during his senior year at OHIO.

Lewis states that the level of competition and dedication he experienced during the hiring process is commonplace across large IT companies. He states that while the process can be difficult, it is one that rewards motivation and preparation.

Lewis recommends that students look into certificates if they are interested in the tech field. He personally recommends looking into CCNA and DevNet for those interested in Cisco.

Lewis made note of changes in the industry—namely the growth of IOT devices and the increasing interest in automation and programmability. Cisco has made investment and acquisitions that reflect this change in the industry. There has also been a monetary shift in the industry, as much more revenue is coming from software than has been in past years.

Lewis also mentioned the rising interest in cybersecurity, as many clients have come to Cisco with intention of protecting massive amounts of data. With the mixing of numerous clouds, both private and public, companies and organizations have newfound interest in protecting data that may not be on their own premises, unlike before.

Lewis made note that while there are changes in the industry, the skills that are looked for those in the field have remained consistent. He notes that technical skills such as routing are valuable, but that soft skills such as collaborative and communications skills, the ability to communicate ideas, and having interest in evolving technologies are also imperative to those in the field.

Lewis recently came to OHIO to talk to those interested in Cisco’s opportunities. Lewis says that he enjoys giving back to OHIO, and that he has gratitude for the opportunities that it has granted him and the education he received.

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