• Rotational Development Programs
• New Graduate Rotational Program
• Nfl Junior Rotational Program

My grandfather thinks I work for the CIA. No, he isn’t senile. He isn’t obsessed with conspiracy theories, nor is he mentally disturbed. In fact, my relatives – including my parents – suspect he may be right. In August, I began my first “real” job as an associate in SAP’s Graduate Academy, a cross-functional rotational program. Analyst, Planning (New Graduate) This position is part of the Graduate Rotational Program, which begins February 5, 2018. With just a few years' sales experience, the nine-month SAP Academy for Sales program provides you will be mentored by a Senior Account Executive and Academy Graduate colleagues.

My grandfather thinks I work for the CIA. No, he isn’t senile. He isn’t obsessed with conspiracy theories, nor is he mentally disturbed. In fact, my relatives – including my parents – suspect he may be right.

In August, I began my first “real” job as an associate in SAP’s Graduate Academy, a cross-functional rotational program. I’m exposed to four different areas within the company over ten months before I choose one to apply for a permanent position. Throughout the program, we receive additional professional training – everything from how to properly use my silverware during a business lunch to how to clear slides in a PowerPoint deck. It’s a fantastic opportunity that exposes me to the variety of positions available in this behemoth of a company and allows me ample time to taste-test my options before committing to a single post.

So why would my grandfather ever think I was working for the CIA? Simple. I graduated from Princeton University this past June with a degree in History and certificate (minor) in Near Eastern Studies. I studied classical Arabic for two years. I wrote a 100-page thesis comparing the developments of Hamas and Hezbollah. Sending a resume into SAP was an easy decision for me: I had no idea what the company did at the time, but I knew I wasn’t getting favorable responses from the State Department and I needed to find employment before my impending graduation. But as my grandfather put it, “What technology company would hire a history major? It’s a cover for sure!”

Why does my background matter? That’s the thing: it doesn’t anymore. I am of one of the Millennials – the buzzword being thrown around businesses recently to describe the generation born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. This generation is fast becoming both the bulk of the workforce and the main grouping of consumers, meaning we will drive business over the next several decades. As a member of this generation, my story isn’t atypical for the following reasons:

1. ) Millennials do not follow a “traditional” career path. A history major transitioning to a technology company right out of college isn’t just the norm: it is encouraged. I don’t have a background in technology or sales, but you can bet I’ve developed the skills to learn, research, and analyze whatever topic is thrown my way. It isn’t so much what one brings to the table anymore. Instead, it’s about approaching ideas that currently exist and asking how we can look at them in new, creative ways.
2. ) Millennials think globally. Part of the reason I wanted to learn Arabic was to better understand the culture of the Middle East. Even if I never travel there, I work for an international organization that will inevitably do business in the region. While most business is conducted in English, a few words of greeting or gratitude in your client’s native language are simply a sign of respect. Millennials have grown up in a world where the internet connects the most remote corners of Earth together. Globalization isn’t an option these days, it’s a necessity.
3. ) Millennials value width over depth. I read my news on Twitter every morning, simply because the 140 character limit allows me to scan quickly enough to know the necessities and delve into article links that interest me more. The same applies to the Graduate Academy program: I can scan the options of projects and careers before I dive into a more permanent role I’m passionate about. Millennials see specialization as a death sentence: they’d rather be well-versed in several areas — with an in-depth look at a select few — than be a master at one particular area.

Simply, my grandfather and I are generations apart. My grandfather sees the options of a different era: a history major must either work in the area of her studies (in my case, counterterrorism), go to graduate school, or become a history teacher. But that’s not the situation anymore. Millennials have the abilitiesto think critically, globally, and widely, opening us up to a wide range of possibilities for our post-graduate future. That, or I’ve just outed myself as the worst secret officer in the history of the CIA.

Are you a recent graduate?

In the Cisco Sales Associates Program you'll learn how to change customers' businesses to be part of a digitized future. This one year program combines instructor-led classes with self-paced trainings and hands-on experience. All the trainings are delivered in virtual classrooms using Cisco's cutting-edge technologies. You will have a personal mentor and a dedicated team to support you in reaching your full potential.

There are two roles in the program:

Associate Sales Representatives – Develop skills and competencies to build strong customer and partner relationships to provide business value through Cisco technologies.
Associate Solutions Engineers - Focus on architecting solutions that meet our customer's technical and business needs.

Once you graduate, you will continue to pursue an exciting career at Cisco.

Offering a global experience

Our program has opportunities all over the world. Our 15 hub locations are Amsterdam, Beijing, Bengaluru, Brisbane, Eschborn, London, Melbourne, Stockholm, Paris, Prague, Raleigh, San Jose, Seoul, Singapore, and Toronto. These hub locations have a diverse mixture of experiences, with opportunities to grow and hone your skills. Upon successful completion of the program you will move back to the country for which you have applied.

Rotational Development Programs

Still busy with your studies? Consider a summer internship.

New Graduate Rotational Program

The Worldwide Sales internship program is designed for university students and offers the opportunity to learn and gain technical, sales, and consulting experience within Cisco. We offer two roles: sales intern and technical intern. Students will be exposed to Cisco's technology and day to day business activities while receiving hands-on training. Students will be able to also bring in their innovative ideas to Cisco. Upon completion of the internship, opportunities exist to become Cisco's next generation of sales leaders through an accelerated early-in-career development path.

Nfl Junior Rotational Program

What you can offer

We're looking for candidates who are self-motivated, achievement-driven, and passionate about technology and innovation. You must have strong interpersonal skills, be a team player, eager to learn and enjoy building customer and partner relationships.