Is It Hard to Get a Job at Cisco as a Coding Bootcamp Graduate?

Cisco is one of the biggest tech giants in the US. The San Jose-based company deals with manufacturing networking hardware, software, telecommunication devices, and a wide variety of other high-tech products and services. The publicly-traded company currently has over 71,000 employees. Its next one could be you. 

This article will provide answers to several questions about Cisco, particularly in relation to its hiring of bootcamp graduates. The goal is to help you compare degrees versus bootcamps and choose the most suitable option if you want to get a job at Cisco. 

What Do Employers Think of Bootcamp Grads?

Employers think coding bootcamp grads can fill positions that were previously held by computer science degree holders. According to a survey of 1,000 HR managers conducted by Indeed, approximately 72 percent of employers believe bootcamp graduates are just as qualified as computer science degree holders.

Approximately 17 percent of employers believe bootcamps do not adequately prepare students for jobs compared to computer science degrees. Around 12 percent of employers believe that bootcamp graduates are better prepared than degree holders for the same tech positions. According to the report, employers want more oversight and accountability from bootcamps.

Do Tech Companies Hire Bootcamp Grads?

Tech companies hire bootcamp grads, including Cisco, Google, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft. Apart from these top tech companies that hire bootcamp grads, other reputable companies that hire bootcamp alumni are Vimeo, Vroom, and Scribd.

Access Development, Razorfish, Eventbrite, Progressive Insurance, Mobify, Capital One Labs, and Granicus have also welcomed bootcamp grads to their teams. Some of the companies that hire bootcamp graduates are not exclusively tech companies. 

Does Cisco Hire Bootcamp Grads?

Cisco hires bootcamp grads as part of its global family. According to Dustin Beltramo, Cisco’s Director of Architecture Office and Experience Design in Chief Technology, some graduates from Hack Reactor were part of his tech team. The company has been satisfied with the performance of these coding bootcamp graduates. 

College Degrees vs Bootcamps: Which Option Better Prepares Students to Work at Cisco? 

Whether you have a degree from a university or a bootcamp certificate, you can apply for a job at Cisco and have a good chance of getting it if you have the necessary technical and soft skills. Like other major companies, Cisco has a set of values and objectives that all prospective employees must know. 

What Cisco Looks for in an Employee

• High Emotional Quotient (EQ). Cisco wants employees with high EQs because of their charisma. You should be able to process your emotions effectively while paying attention to those around you. People with high EQs are excellent communicators, listeners, and collaborators. 
• Adaptability. How quickly do you learn new things and blend into an ever-changing work environment? Do you welcome change or do you avoid it? Due to the fast-paced evolution of technology and work, Cisco seeks people who can easily adapt to change. Adaptability also promotes employee retention. 
• Technological Innovation. Can you develop new ideas to increase productivity in any department you are assigned to or rely on others? Cisco is looking for innovative ideas, regardless of your position within the company. You can pitch innovative technological ideas that will give Cisco a competitive advantage.
• Leadership. Cisco is looking for people with strong leadership qualities. Some of these qualities include problem-solving, optimism, delegation, patience, empowerment, and enthusiasm for the role you are given. When working with a development team, you must also be self-motivated and have excellent decision-making skills.

How a Degree Prepares You to Be the Perfect Cisco Employee

• Versatility. You can pursue a degree with one major and multiple minors or multiple majors at the same time. This provides the type of versatility that Cisco seeks in its employees. There is no such thing as having too much knowledge. 
• Interpersonal Skills. You will improve your interpersonal skills during the years you spend earning a degree. This is because colleges host various group activities, both curricular and extracurricular. Participating in these activities will prepare you for a collaborative life once you begin working at Cisco.
• Pathway to More Learning Opportunities. Cisco prioritizes continuous learning for all of its employees. You may be eligible for employee training when you reach a certain level. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field, you can quickly advance to a master’s degree or another professional degree. 
• Well-Rounded Education. Accredited colleges provide a well-rounded education that is recognized by state and federal authorities. Even if you choose a technology degree, you will learn the business and a few other general education subjects that will boost your value as a Cisco employee.

How a Bootcamp Prepares You to Be the Perfect Cisco Employee

• Job Specific Training. Cisco recognizes that graduates of bootcamps receive job-specific training. Whether you want to work in project management, software development, hardware development, or data science, there are tech bootcamps that can teach you everything you need to know.
• Industry Trends. Bootcamps aren’t governed by the same rules or processes as colleges. This means that they can quickly and easily change their curriculums in response to emerging industry trends. Cisco recognizes that bootcamp graduates may be more current than college graduates when it comes to modern development technologies.
• Professional Experience. Most people who attend bootcamps already have professional work experience and look to change careers quickly. This experience makes it simple for bootcamp graduates to integrate into the Cisco workplace.
• Commitment and Dedication. Coding bootcamps are designed to condense four years of knowledge into a few months. As a result, the curriculum and pace are intensive. Some bootcamps require full-time students to commit 50 to 70 hours per week to learning. The commitment and dedication it takes to graduate are qualities you need to thrive at Cisco. 

What Cisco Jobs Are Available to Bootcamp Grads? 

There are numerous Cisco positions available for bootcamp graduates in San Francisco, San Jose, and beyond. Most of these positions require a degree or equivalent experience, but if you have an excellent track record, you definitely have a chance. The reputation of the bootcamp you attend is also important. Cisco has recruited coding bootcamp grads directly from Hack Reactor in the past. 

Data Scientist 

The primary responsibility for this role is completing data engineering projects using machine learning and artificial intelligence. You need to know how to use the major Python libraries for data science like Pandas, NLTK, Stanford NLP, Scikit Learn, Keras, and Pytorch. Candidates with at least five years of industry experience are the best fit for data scientist positions.

How BrainStation Can Help You Become a Data Scientist at Cisco 

BrainStation is an online bootcamp that provides full-time and part-time live instruction. The data science program will provide you with the knowledge you need to complete the job. The program includes courses in data science fundamentals, data visualization with Python, object oriented programming, code version control, and web scraping.

Full Stack Software Developer 

Cisco is looking for full stack software developers to join its Cisco Defense Orchestrator team. If you are qualified for this position, you will work on various full stack development projects from start to finish. To be considered for this position, you must also have strong collaboration, time management, and problem-solving skills.

How Lambda School Can Help You Become a Full Stack Software Developer at Cisco 

Lambda School is a great place to learn full stack software development. During the six-month intensive program, bootcamp students should expect to learn everything there is to know about JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Python, Redux, and NodeJS. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of data structures and algorithms.

User Interface (UI) Developer 

Qualified candidates for this role will join Cisco’s Emerging Technologies and Incubation Group in San Jose. The role includes the development of user-friendly websites using Python, NoSQL, NodeJS, and D3.js. The education requirements for this UI developer role is not specified on the website, but it is labeled as professional.

How Flatiron School Can Help You Become a UI Developer at Cisco

Flatiron School is currently one of the best bootcamps in the United States. You can learn UI development by enrolling in Flatiron School’s UI/UX design program. The full-time program lasts approximately 15 weeks and focuses on UX and UI processes. After gaining the necessary hands-on experience, you will be expected to showcase your project portfolio. 

Software Engineer

Cisco currently has an opening for software engineers with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or information technology. Those without a bachelor’s degree need to have previous professional and academic experience in Python and rapid web development. While it is not compulsory, knowledge of Google cloud platforms will help you get this tech job.

How Can Hack Reactor Help You Become a Software Engineer at Cisco

Hack Reactor already has a relationship with Cisco, but that’s not the only reason to choose this bootcamp as your education provider. Hack Reactor has a 12-week software engineering program that covers the fundamentals of computer science, full stack application development with JavaScript, full stack application development with Python, and other coding skills. 

Network Systems Engineer

These IT professionals work with others to implement new technologies and develop tools for monitoring data on Cisco’s systems. Some areas of interest for this field are cloud computing, data science, software engineering, network security, and infrastructural maintenance on a large scale. 

You will need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field to apply for the role. However, if you don’t have that, you’ll have to demonstrate to the employer that you have comparable experience.

How Clarusway Can Help You Become a Network Systems Engineer at Cisco

Clarusway is an ideal choice for anyone interested in becoming a network systems engineer. It is regarded as one of the best networking bootcamps. The bootcamp offers various short-term information technology and networking courses to help you prepare for this role. It would also be beneficial to obtain official Cisco certifications for networking professionals.

Can a Coding Bootcamp Get Me a Job at Cisco? 

A coding bootcamp can get you a job at Cisco. Simply ensure the bootcamp you attend has a solid reputation and covers in-demand practical skills in its curriculum. Regardless of which bootcamp you attend, you will still need to pass the rigorous interview process required to obtain a job at Cisco.

Does Cisco Hire Bootcamp Grads? FAQ