Questions from you, Answers from us!

Over the summer, we have tried to tackle some of the most important topics in the business world (in our opinion). We have gone from college lessons all the way to working without a desk; but what we wanted to do this week was address questions submitted by you, our audience.

When we first reached out for questions, we expected a lot of personal experiences that asked for our advice. What we got was even better - personal questions about us.

So, here's what we got:

What are your biggest fears going forward in your career?

Madisen: My biggest fear is not being able to balance work and my personal life (pretty basic answer I know). I never really thought that that was going to be super difficult but this summer has shown me differently.

Mitchell: I guess my biggest fear going forward in my career is that I will not make a big enough difference in people’s lives. I’ve always wanted to make a difference and change the way people think, so it’s up to me to really make that happen.

What’s a cause you are behind?

Madisen: Volunteering for the homeless community is my favorite way to give back. Homelessness has a special place in my heart and I love every opportunity I get to meet and talk with homeless people.

Mitchell: So there are a couple really good causes that I support. The first one would be the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). I have always been an animal guy and will do what I can to keep animals as happy as possible. With this, I have made a pledge to myself that I will only adopt when it comes time to get a pet, so that I can better the life of an animal who only wants to love (I’m not crying, you’re crying). The other cause that I really support is one that I recently found out about. The Shoe That Grows is a wonderful project that is fueled by a shoe that has adjustable sizes, with a market focused on underprivileged communities. You are able to order and distribute shoes yourself in Kenya, or you can donate/fundraise from home. Something this smart should be known by everyone.

What’s been the best part of making this blog series for you guys?

Madisen: The best part of blogging this summer has been the conversation with the excs and building relationships with the people that were involved. I learned a lot about myself and realized I do not want to blog for a living.

Mitchell: I think the best part about it is the connections I’ve made throughout our journey. Talking to some amazing people for advice and perspective have helped me understand Cisco and myself even more. These connections mean so much to me and I hope to have many more conversations with them going forward in my career.

What are the strengths and weaknesses you both had throughout the series and how did you bring them together?

Madisen: The hardest part of the series was having a blog prepared every week. Thanks to Mitchell, we kept on track.

Mitchell: Although I see myself as creative, Madisen did an amazing job keeping the blogs fun and entertaining. It wasn’t the easiest staying on track, but I feel like we did an amazing job keeping with our schedule and reaching our goals for the series.

What was your favorite part of the internship?

Madisen: My favorite part of the internship was the food on Tuesdays/Thursdays and all of my fellow interns.

Mitchell: My favorite part of the internship was definitely the people. Everyone in this company that I've spoken to has a way of inspiring and motivating me, which I’ve never experienced before. The marketing group is a true community, and it allows for amazing conversation and innovation.

How can you apply what you’ve learned from the internship into the rest of your career?

Madisen: Work hard and dig deep.

Mitchell: I’ve learned how to approach problems more effectively. Whenever I used to find a problem, I would point it out, and offer a few half-assed ideas on how to solve it. Now, I know that something like that doesn’t fly in this world. Whenever I see a problem now, I research it, consult people involved, and come up with thought-out decisions that can be implemented upon proposing them.

Do you think that your intern group will stay friends after it ends?

Madisen: I think there are groups of people that will stay friends. If everyone comes back full time, I think we will all bond back together and it will be an awesome place to work.

Mitchell: Yes and no. I think that a lot of us will stay in contact, but not all of us. We have gotten to know each other really well, but at the end of the day, we all have our separate lives at our different colleges. Whether we do stay close or not, they are all fantastic people that have challenged me and helped me grow as a marketer and a person.

What’s your least favorite part about Cisco?

Madisen: My least favorite part about Cisco is not being in the same physical area as my team. We are spread out among the regions and it makes communication a little difficult.

Mitchell: Hmm. I guess I would say that my least favorite part about Cisco is the sheer amount of data and information in our portfolios. While it allows our customers a large amount of customization, it creates a very large learning curve for people like me. With the specialized projects I worked on this summer, I wasn’t really able to get my head around all of the products and services offered. Although it’s my least favorite part, it makes me happy to picture myself in 10-15 years understanding a lot of the ins and outs of Cisco.

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We hope that you enjoyed a bit of a different kind of blog today! We had fun answering your questions. Just because we aren't doing another Q&A doesn't mean that we won't answer any more questions! Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns anytime!

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