What’s it really like to join Cisco’s TAC Graduate Program? We asked. Eight graduates from our FY26 Lisbon cohort share their honest experiences, from the intensity of CCNA bootcamp and their first customer cases, to the mentors who made the difference and the lessons they wish they’d known earlier. Their manager, João Quintela (himself a former graduate), explains how the six-month program transforms recent university students into confident Technical Consulting Engineers.
The TAC (Technical Assistance Center) Graduate Program is one of Cisco’s flagship pathways for launching careers in networking and technical support. But what’s it really like? We asked our FY26 graduates from Cisco Portugal to share their journeys: from their first nervous customer cases to the moments that made them realize they’d found their place in tech.
A Manager’s Perspective: Why Cisco Invests in Graduates
João Quintela manages the current cohort of graduates and interns at Cisco Lisbon, a role that means a lot to him since he started his own Cisco journey five years ago as a graduate.
“Cisco invests in graduate programs to unlock the potential of recent university graduates, nurturing their curiosity and drive to learn, especially in fields like networking and AI,” João explains. “My own career shows what’s possible with the right structure and support. Graduates can thrive at Cisco, whether in Support, Consulting, or moving into leadership roles.”
What surprised João most about this cohort was how quickly they engaged with other teams and wanted to collaborate from day one. The cohort even participated in a Time2Give event at Banco Alimentar Contra A Fome with new joiners from other teams, showing their commitment to making an impact right from the start.
Why They Chose Cisco TAC
João Sousa came to Cisco through a friend’s recommendation, proof that our people are our best ambassadors. Paris Krystallis was drawn by his passion for “unraveling puzzles and mysteries,” finding TAC the perfect fit for solving complex tech problems. For Ricardo Simões, it started during his first year at university through the Cisco Networking Academy at ISEP, where he fell in love with networking.
Diogo Campos summed up what many feel: TAC is the best place to learn about networking, teamwork, and how to work under pressure.
The Six-Month Journey
The program is structured but flexible, designed to turn recent graduates into confident technical engineers.
Weeks 1-2: Foundation and Orientation
It starts with onboarding Cisco’s internal tools and platforms, followed by an Architecture Overview covering key EMEA technologies, from Data Center to Security. This gives graduates a view of the full range of specialties within Cisco.
Weeks 3-8: Building Technical Foundations
Next comes intensive focus on networking fundamentals, including a CCNA bootcamp and technical training. The CCNA certification was a defining challenge for the cohort, tough but worth it.
João Quintela says with pride: “All members of the cohort passed CCNA on their first attempt, plus internal AI certifications and future-ready skills.”
Months 3-6: Specialized Training and Real-World Experience
Graduates move to their designated teams for specialized technical training and hands-on work. This is where theory meets practice and the real learning kicks in.
The Training Journey: Challenges & Triumphs
Technical Highlights
Hugo Dias found his passion for automation, learning how to use scripts to manage devices and streamline tasks, essential skills in modern network operations. Paris Krystallis realized that “working in technology isn’t about reaching a static state of knowledge, but a dynamic chase of progress and evolution.”
Ricardo Simões was surprised by simpler things too, like discovering how easily Webex enables remote collaboration: “I’d used things like TeamViewer before, but seeing how easy it is with Webex just blew my mind a little.”
Memorable Moments
First customer cases left their mark. Diogo Campos recalled opening his first case, only to find the customer had already opened over 30 cases about the same problem, a funny introduction to the realities of technical support.
Hugo Dias learned about balance the hard way. After being so careful reviewing an email, he accidentally sent it to the wrong customer: “It taught me a valuable lesson in balancing carefulness with efficiency!”
The lab competition was a highlight for many. Jorge Grabovschi remembered it as “really pushy, but in the end we all laughed and learned a lot, that’s what made our cohort shine.” Paris Krystallis shared a memorable troubleshooting exercise where their manager role-played as an angry customer demanding faster results, a real test of both technical skills and staying cool under pressure.
Beyond Technical Skills
João Quintela says the program’s value goes way beyond technical knowledge: “Six months doesn’t sound like much, but their growth has been noticeable, not just technically, but in soft skills and other future skills that matter to us and the market, particularly AI.”
He pushes back against stereotypes about younger generations: “Sometimes there’s this trend of criticizing younger generations. But this cohort has always shown willingness to improve and get constructive feedback in areas they need to work on. We’ve worked on these areas for the last few months, and their growth has been remarkable.”
The Support Network
Every graduate talked about the importance of their mentors, managers, and peers. The mix of experienced engineer guidance, management support, and peer collaboration created an environmentwhere learning happened fast and challenges felt manageable.
Ricardo Simões put it simply: “Even though João’s our manager, I see him more as a coach. He’s really helped us grow, and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for better guidance.”
Practical Advice for Future Graduates
Our graduates shared tips for those considering the program:
Start Strong
The training calendar moves fast, so good study habits from the start pay off. Organizing notes clearly and categorizing content makes life easier later, especially with all the material you’ll cover. João Estêvão’s advice is straightforward: “Focus on studying as much as possible as early as possible so you don’t feel behind.”
Francisco Inácio agrees: “Work hard from the beginning. Don’t slack, the calendar is compact and moves fast. Everything’s doable, but it takes discipline.”
Embrace the Learning Curve
The jump from training to handling live customer cases can feel intense. Diogo Campos describes it vividly: “Don’t get used to the workload during the first months of onboarding. When you start on TAC, you’ll feel like you went from a calm beach to a war zone.”
But Paris Krystallis offers reassurance: “Trust the process and your ability to function through the difficulty. Everyone finds it hard, not just you. Study, keep your cool, and reach out to others.”
Leverage Your Network
The program gives you something unique: you’re entering a company with peers at the same knowledge level. Hugo Dias advises: “Make the most of it, embrace every opportunity to learn and connect with others at Cisco. Take time to build friendships; they’ll be invaluable.”
Paris Krystallis adds: “Your strongest tool is your team. Do your research, come up with good questions, then ask your mentor or whoever’s sitting next to you.”
Learn from Mistakes
Ricardo Simões offers perspective on the inevitable slip-ups: “Don’t stress over mistakes, they’re just part of learning. Have fun with it! Enjoy the process and celebrate the small wins.” He shares wisdom that stuck: “Remember these words: slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”
Jorge Grabovschi stresses seeking feedback: “This’ll help you understand your mistakes and improve. I learned this later, and I wish I’d known before joining.”
What Surprised Them Most
The big theme? Cisco’s supportive culture. João Sousa found that “how willing to help everyone is” blew away all expectations.
Many were also surprised by Cisco’s scale and organization. Hugo Dias noted: “The sheer scale of the company and how well everything’s organized” impressed him right away.
Beyond the technical work, Cisco offers tons of communities and activities. Paris Krystallis discovered “the opportunities Cisco has to offer outside of the job itself. There are communities to join, from gaming to language programs and public speaking training. People here are infinitely interesting.”
Jorge Grabovschi agrees: “The amount of activities and communities in the company is really amazing and in my opinion it’s what makes this place special.”
Ricardo Simões was “surprised by how supportive everyone is. The culture at Cisco is way more fun and dynamic than I expected, there are always events and activities going on.”
Ready for Permanent Roles
João Quintela’s assessment is clear: “The overall feedback for this cohort has been impressive. Their onboarding to teams has been going really well, with some engineers going beyond expectations by a large margin.”
He credits a clear approach: “What I’ve always done is make sure I understand what they want from these first few months and give them the confidence to take certifications, get their team training prioritized, and understand how important their initial onboarding is for their future. I couldn’t ask for better results than what we’re seeing.”
Looking Ahead
As they move into their specialized teams, our graduates are excited about what’s next. Diogo Campos is “focused on becoming proficient with my team’s tools and technologies, so I can finally start thinking about my CCIE certification.”
Paris Krystallis sees “a multiverse of possibilities ahead”, from becoming a tech-leader to exploring completely different roles within Cisco. For now, his main goal is “to learn how to operate in my role as effectively as possible, handle interesting cases, and explore all those opportunities.”
Francisco Inácio sums up what drives them all: “I’m excited to keep learning and improve my skills as an engineer.”
Join Our Next Cohort
João Quintela’s message to potential applicants is clear: “Cisco’s graduate program offers an exceptional opportunity for recent graduates to launch their careers in a supportive, innovative, and dynamic environment. The program provides comprehensive training, mentorship, and real-world experience, all designed to help you grow both personally and professionally. I strongly encourage anyone interested in technology and eager to learn to apply, your journey could start here, just as mine did.”
The program is demanding, but as our graduates confirm, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. You’ll build technical expertise, professional skills, and relationships that’ll support your career for years to come.
Ready to start your TAC journey?
Click here to learn more and apply.
Special thanks to our FY26 TAC Graduate cohort in Lisbon and their manager João Quintela for sharing their experiences and insights.
Authors