One Company, Many Careers – Discover how Adrian’s curiosity triggered his relocation to Poland and altered his career path
Over the years, Cisco has practised #internalmobility promotion, encouraging employees to move and develop within the company. Cisco is all about retaining and supporting top talent to pursue their passion. Under the motto #OneCompanyManyCareers, we will be sharing the success stories of our employees throughout the whole year!
This week’s story is about Adrian Ureche, Business Development Manager in Cisco Poland.
Tell us what has been your career journey at Cisco so far?
My career at Cisco has been an incredible journey filled with growth and opportunities. I initially started as a contractor in Colombia, specializing in TAC support with a focus on Security technologies, particularly firewalls. Over the course of approximately three years, I had the privilege of working directly with Cisco products, services, and customers. However, as time went on, I began to contemplate the idea of exploring new horizons to expand my knowledge. This led me to transition into the role of Knowledge Architect within my company, where I honed my skills in crafting technical content that engages and leaves a lasting impression, skills that continue to serve me well today.
After a year in this role, I received an enticing offer to join Cisco Poland. The decision to relocate was an easy one, thanks to the presence of a small Colombian community in Poland. I arrived in Poland at the close of 2019 and embarked on a new adventure as a Technical Consulting Engineer for SD-WAN. Since then, I’ve progressed through the ranks, moving up from Consulting Engineer to my current position as Business Development Manager. Looking back, I have no regrets about the choices I’ve made.
Poland, both culturally and gastronomically, offered a stark contrast to Colombia. Nevertheless, embracing the new and different has allowed me to immerse myself in a unique culture and broaden my horizons. I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience something truly transformative.
What or Who inspired you for the change?
My initial move was driven by curiosity. I possessed a deep-seated desire to explore the multifaceted landscape of a company as vast as Cisco. While working in TAC was enjoyable, I eventually began to feel somewhat disconnected from the broader spectrum of the company. Our focus on addressing customer issues left me wondering if there was more to Cisco than met the eye. Although Professional Services was closely related to TAC, it remained a mysterious concept to me. I found myself referring customers to Professional Services without a comprehensive understanding of their role.
One day, my manager, who oversaw both TAC and Professional Services, suggested a transition from TAC to Professional Services based on my strong social and technical skills. Recognizing the potential in this change, I wholeheartedly agreed. After four years in TAC, it was time for me to explore a different facet of the business. The experience was nothing short of amazing, as I engaged in challenging projects and learned something new every day.
In most roles, there comes a point where you reach a plateau after mastering the initial learning curve, typically taking a year or two. Although content with my current position, I harbored a strong desire to delve deeper into other aspects of the business. Armed with a solid understanding of the company’s core services, spanning TAC and Professional Services, I believed I could leverage this knowledge and experience elsewhere.
An opportunity presented itself through the LEAD program for the role of Business Development Manager. I viewed it as an ideal chance to broaden my expertise and delve into the sales aspect of Cisco’s business. Completing the program in a mere three months, I relished every moment of it. It enabled me to gain insights into the pre-sales dimension of the business, including scoping and statement of works, complementing my technical expertise. Subsequently, I accepted a position on the team, as it felt like a natural fit, bringing me closer to the world of Sales.
What was your biggest learning through the transition?
Through these transitions, I’ve come to realize my adaptability when provided with the right resources. I’ve held three vastly different positions, each demanding a unique onboarding process and the acquisition of new skills. Cisco’s commitment to supporting adaptation, whether through the provision of necessary tools or access to experienced mentors, has been invaluable.
One concept at Cisco that I greatly appreciate is mentorship. A mentor, in my view, isn’t someone who merely answers all your questions but rather someone you can turn to when facing challenges or seeking validation in your decision-making process.
What advice would you give to those who are thinking about a change but are still hesitant?
First and foremost, prioritize your well-being. Don’t agonize over fitting perfectly into a particular role. If you sense that it’s time for a change, trust your instincts. The prospect of moving can be daunting, but Cisco offers a seamless process to guide you. Your new team will warmly welcome you, providing the opportunity to forge new relationships and receive support. People at Cisco are open and eager to share their knowledge. Don’t hesitate to explore beyond your daily routine; there’s always something exciting happening at Cisco. If you find yourself intrigued by a role outside your current path, connect with those who are already in that role. This could lead you to discover your passion or the next step in your career.
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