This is a guest post from Melissa Robinson, Social Value & Pathways Work Experience Lead, Cisco UK & Ireland. Melissa is also co-lead for CAAN (Cisco Connected Asian Affinity Network).
I often look back at myself in Year 13, like many students, I wasn’t entirely sure what my future looked like or where I belonged in the professional world. That was until I attended the female-only Pathways work experience programme at Cisco.
That week didn’t just introduce me to technology; it introduced me to a culture that valued curiosity, continuous learning, and most importantly, me. Today, as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project Specialist and the lead for the very programme that changed my career trajectory, I want to share why these initiatives are so vital to the future of Cisco UK & Ireland.
More Than Just a Programme
At Cisco, we know that closing the gender gap isn’t something we can solve overnight; it’s a commitment that starts early. We need to create clear, accessible pathways for underrepresented students to enter the tech sector with confidence.
Our Early Careers Pathways initiative is how we do that. We currently collaborate with 17 secondary schools across the UK, hosting “Pathways Insight Days” to pull back the curtain on the tech industry. For many of these students, it’s the first time they’ve seen a career in tech as a tangible, exciting possibility.
My Journey from Student to Lead
When I attended the Pathways programme, I was struck by how welcoming everyone was. I saw a path forward that didn’t necessarily require a traditional university route. I chose an apprenticeship at Cisco, earned my degree while working, and graduated into a full-time role in 2023.
Now, I have the privilege of leading these programmes. I get to design the orientation sessions, the department overviews, and the real-world project challenges that culminate in student presentations. I see myself in the students who come through our doors. The apprehension, the sudden spark of interest, and the growing confidence as they realize they have a place here.
How We’re Building the Next Generation
It’s not just about one week of work experience. We are committed to long-term support through:
- T-level Placements:Offering intensive eight-week industry placements for students pursuing technical qualifications.
- Mentorship:We pair every T-level student with a Cisco professional who shares their interests. I’ve seen firsthand how a single conversation with a mentor can change a student’s entire career trajectory.
- Hybrid Flexibility:By blending office-based and remote work, we show students what the modern, flexible workplace actually looks like.
- Discover Tech: A Cisco founded, work experience programme that collaborates tech organisations to deliver a two-day experience for students looking to discover the tech industry. With each cohort offering 300 placements to scale the amount of students we reach.
Why This Matters
For me, this work is about representation. It’s about ensuring that young women and students from all backgrounds can look at a tech company and see a reflection of themselves.
I’m incredibly proud to be part of a team that doesn’t just talk about diversity – we actively build it. As I often tell my colleagues:
These programmes exist to nurture Cisco’s incoming talent. Recognising that many of our early-in-career colleagues join Cisco through these programmes inspires us to continue investing heavily in emerging talent.
If you are a student wondering if you have a place in technology, I’m here to tell you: you do. And we’re waiting to help you find it.
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