Hello Everyone, I think I'm having a Mid-Life Crisis! How about you? As I turn a year older, certain things are hitting me in the face like a MACK Truck, such as:
1. I still haven't loss that weight I wanted to from 7 years ago!
2. My parents are retired, and their health is failing and I'm hundreds of miles away
3. I haven't had a vacation, I mean a real vacation in over 3 years
4. Everyone in the family is getting older, dying off, spread apart
5. I'm asking myself did I reach my goal, "did I become what I wanted to be when I grew up"
6. Am I passionate about the work i'm doing???
I started to ask myself what is the ROI. What kind of return on investment am I getting from my life up until this point? At first I started to worry, until I began a personal inventory of what options I had.
Why is this important to you? If this sounds like you, maybe you should check your options as well. While talking to candidates for job opporutnities, a lot of them share similiar stories, about working on jobs that they've been on for years, some know their company's business plan are failing yet they stay and wait for the hatchet, some gave their blood, sweat and tears to the company and found that they are laid off looking for a new career after 10+ years of service with no idea where to start.
I wanted you to consider something when looking at Cisco for employment. First and foremost I love this company because the President and CEO, John Chambers has a vision that is clearly defined and implemented throughout the company worldwide. Second, Cisco understands the importance of work life balance, family, local and global community, and education.
This transcends into a company culture that promotes Work, Live, Play and Learn. At the end of the day, you have the opportunity to reach so many lives by working here, not just in selling products and services, but the collaboration, innovation and optimization that is fostered throughout business unit too business unit.
Cisco is constantly promoting internal and external growth, mentally, physically, educationally, technically and so on.
Just the other day there was a training on learning new "Smartboard Technology" and right beside it was a posting for Senior Care and the effects of the family. Something that we all need to know more about for family members over 60. As well as with gas prices being what they are, they've promoted carpooling and some flexiblity to work from home.
It got me to thinking about how fortunate I am to be in a place such as Cisco Systems. There are really a number of things I can do from within the Cisco walls that will aid me in acheiving my goals; like taking advantage of our telepresence or WebEx conferencing to connect with those miles away, participating with the wellness program at the gym here on site or voluteering to work special events in the local community working through one of our ERG groups.
All companies of course must focus on their products, services and bottom line, but they don't have to promote life long learning for your personal well being, nor educating you on how to support your family and community. This is a place where you really can live, learn, work and play.
If you're going through the Mid Life Crisis (MLC), consider this:
1. create a personal goal sheet
2. decide what you're passionate about and how you will make a difference
3. when seeking a job, find out if the company promotes internal growth
4. Is your company a leader in Inclusion and Diversity?
5. Does your company give you the opportunity to grow as a person?
At Cisco you are awarded many opportunities to promote personal and professional growth from the inside out.
I encourage you to click on "Find My Dream Job" and copy and paste your resume in the blank space. DO NOT ADD A CITY OR OTHER PARAMETERS; just click search. This will give you an opportunity to see Globally where your skills are best needed within Cisco worldwide. Also search our Philanthropy and Community page where you can see a list of things you can be invovled in. http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac48/pbi.html
Maybe it's time to work in the UK, Paris, Dubai? The options are limiteless!!!
I'm convinced!!! We are not having a Mid Life Crisis;Instead we are going to re-align our focus, and press toward implementing those personal goals with a company that promotes the same thinking. So the question of the day is: Can you reach your personal goals where you're currently working? If not, focus on Cisco, working here provides a great Return on Investment!
