My connection to Cisco runs deeper than a job title or an office badge — it is a story that began long before I ever stepped onto campus as an employee.

My father joined Cisco in April 1993, back when the idea of a sprawling RTP campus was just taking shape. At the time, we lived in Charlotte, and he commuted each week to a small office at Highwoods Properties, betting on a young company with big dreams of connecting people and technology.

As a kid, Cisco was the backdrop to my childhood. I have distinct memories of Bring Your Child to Work Days, picking out a Snapple from the breakroom, and attending campus events like the RTP grand opening in 1995. There is even a photo of six-year-old Corey sitting on the curb, decked out in a Charlotte Hornets outfit, surrounded by his family — proof that Cisco was always a part of our story.

As a college senior, however, I was a little stubborn. I wanted to blaze my own trail, until I discovered an opportunity with Cisco’s IT University Program that I could not resist. I, too, decided to take a chance on this company I had learned so much about.

Fast forward to today, and I am approaching my 15-year work anniversary, which I will celebrate this summer. For nine of those years, my dad and I both worked here — just a short walk away from each other, thanks to our offices being connected by a bridge he watched being built as the campus expanded. Although we rarely crossed paths during the workday, knowing he was close by made Cisco feel even more like home.

One of my favorite traditions comes from our company directory, where my dad kept the same badge photo for 25 years. His sweater became iconic, so shortly after joining, I quietly borrowed his sweater and retook my badge photo to match — a small way to honor his legacy as I began a career journey of my own.

Of course, while its values remain unchanged, Cisco is not the same company it was when my dad started.

The technology landscape has transformed in ways neither of us could have imagined. When my dad began his career, the internet was in its infancy and smartphones did not exist. The storage we have in our pockets would have taken multiple semi-trucks to carry.

Today, Cisco stands at the forefront of advancements like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing — fields that did not exist when my dad first set foot on campus. At times, I wonder if he ever pictured a future where AI would become a central focus for the company.

Equally remarkable is how Cisco has evolved as a workplace. It is no longer just an IT company focused on networking hardware. Now, Cisco also offers software, security, collaboration, and so much more. There is a place here for engineers, data scientists, designers, marketers, and even young college graduates following in their father’s footsteps.

Looking back, I am grateful for the stories and experiences that connect me to Cisco — both from my father and those I have written on my own. While our roles have changed and the technology has advanced, the culture of innovation, community, and possibility remains constant.

That’s why, on Employee Appreciation Day, I find myself especially thankful to be part of a company that celebrates its people and recognizes the unique journeys that bring us together. Cisco is family, in more ways than one, and I am excited to see what the future holds, both for me and for everyone who calls Cisco home.

Related links

• Our Purpose
• Careers at Cisco