This post was authored by Kanak Sabhnani, a recent technical intern on the Security Team.

What if I told you that the place where I healed from an injury, discovered a new version of myself, and made lifelong friends wasn't a hospital or a college - but a tech company?

Sounds unreal, right? But that place exists, and for me, it was Cisco.

Let me take you back. When I got selected for an internship at Cisco, I was thrilled. But beneath that excitement was a wave of anxiety.

This was my first in-person internship - my previous one had been completely virtual. The thought of meeting new people, navigating a real office, being away from family and friends, and adjusting to life in Bangalore scared me. I'm an introvert by nature, so the idea of breaking out of my shell in a new environment felt overwhelming.

But then I stepped onto Cisco's campus.

There was an immediate sense of warmth. The vibe wasn't what I expected from a corporate space - it felt more like a lively college campus. The onboarding activities organized by the Accelerate team were genuinely engaging, like one involving scanning a card and asking people questions to earn points. For someone like me who usually avoids initiating conversations, this was a breakthrough. That day, I spoke to more people than I had in months - and surprisingly, I enjoyed it.

But life had other plans.

On just my second day, while heading back to my shared housing, I met with an accident. A ligament tear in my ankle meant one and a half months of strict bed rest. Being new to the city, away from family, and unable to walk, I was terrified.

My first thought was, "How will I manage work?" But Cisco didn't just give me an internship - it gave me a support system.

First, I reached out to my hiring manager. Not only did he respond quickly, but he called me the same day. He asked about my health and offered help. That moment reassured me that I wasn't alone.

My manager was incredibly kind. During our one-on-one, he told me not to worry about work and to focus on getting better. It's rare to find managers who genuinely prioritize your well-being over tasks, especially when you're still an intern.

Even more touching was the support from my co-interns. Despite barely knowing me, they stayed connected - checking in, helping with daily stuff, and just being there to talk when I felt low. One evening, a few even stayed back with me for hours just to help me get a cab. It was in those little moments of care, I realized Cisco wasn't just a workplace. It was my safe space.

I'm an intern with the Cisco Security team. My role began with backend development, and midway through the internship, I began transitioning into frontend to build full-stack skills. My learning journey was well-structured. My manager prioritized my growth by focusing on upskilling me, which prepared me to take on responsibilities with confidence.

Even while recovering from my injury, I stayed involved through virtual meetings. Weekly Thursday demos with my mentor, tech lead, and manager were my anchors. They kept me motivated and reminded me that even though I wasn't there in person, I was still meaningfully contributing.

Once I returned to the office, everything felt brighter. The social events, chai socials, jam sessions at the Vedic Tea Spot, and playing pool with friends - it all helped me feel like myself again. Not only did I heal physically, but emotionally too.

Here's what I've learned:

• Don't underestimate the power of a supportive environment. At Cisco, people go beyond roles - they care.
• If you're ever in a tough situation - whether it's starting a new job or going through a personal setback - the right team can make all the difference.
• Join Cisco for the tech, but also for the people who'll check in on you, cheer for your small wins, and be there when you need someone.
• Healing doesn't always happen in silence. Sometimes, it happens in laughter-filled hallways, heartfelt one-on-ones, and late-night chats with teammates who become friends.
• I didn't just learn tech at Cisco - I learned how strong I could be when I had the right people around me.

That's why I#LoveWhereYouWork. Because here, I didn't just work. I healed, grew, and discovered a new version of myself. And that's something I'll carry with me forever.

Are you ready to discover a new version of yourself, too? Check out career opportunities here.

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