*This post was authored by Tyler Mestery, a machine learning intern on the CTO team. *
What would it be like to spend your first two weeks as an intern not just at your desk, but exploring the unique corners of Cisco’s Bay Area presence?
I started my internship with a clear goal. As a kid from the Midwest, moving to the Bay Area was a massive shift. I did not want to spend my first two weeks in one place. Instead of a standard onboarding routine, I decided to become a Bay Area explorer. My mission was to visit as many Cisco offices as possible from Milpitas to San Francisco. My manager, who works remotely in another state, encouraged me to meet with my teammates in the SF office at least once a week. He wanted me to benefit from their knowledge in real life and gave me the flexibility to start that exploration immediately.
Turning an Internship into an Adventure
So, here’s how I turned a traditional start into an incredible crash course in Cisco’s culture and community.
Each office had its own distinct personality, but all were equally welcoming. In Milpitas, I focused on meeting the wider intern cohort, since most of us were based there. It’s a large campus where you can walk around and enjoy the scenery during lunch, meeting all kinds of different people along the way. We spent our time grabbing boba, catching sunsets, and building real connections. To end the second week, we went on a group trip to the Santana Row office, taking in its modern, vibrant vibe, and location right by the mall with tons of great lunch spots. The San Francisco office gave me a different perspective. Because they offer free lunch, everyone sits together, and it feels like a community, where we’d even gather to watch World Cup games.
Finding My Place in Silicon Valley
Walking into my first office, I felt a heavy mix of nerves and anticipation. However, that feeling evaporated almost instantly. When I got to the Accelerate Onboarding event, I realized we were all there for the same reason: to learn and meet awesome people. I even bonded with another intern over a shared love of fishing and spent a while just talking about that. That realization turned my anxiety into genuine joy and confidence, knowing that Cisco is a vibrant, distinct, and welcoming community.
Beyond the office, I immersed myself in the Bay Area lifestyle, trying new foods like hot pot and Korean BBQ for the first time. Everywhere I look — from the AI billboards to the people I meet who are building startups — I can feel the innovation happening, giving me a profound sense of accomplishment. Landing an internship at a Fortune 100 company is a huge milestone, but being in the heart of the tech world is what truly defines this opportunity. Sharing this experience with interns from across the country makes me feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a select group. We’ve bonded over everything from new food to the thrill of exploring the coast, and those moments have made this place feel like home. Being in the heart of Silicon Valley has pushed me to work harder and grow faster than I ever thought possible, and I am going to represent this opportunity with everything I have.
Innovation at Every Level
When I was first introduced to my summer project by my team, they told me how I’m essentially able to steer it in any direction I want. They also said they wanted me to challenge what they had planned, and come up with my own ideas, through research, planning, and testing. It really opened my eyes to innovation at Cisco, even at the intern level. Most companies wouldn’t give an intern even half as much freedom.
Seeing this human side of Cisco has fundamentally changed how I approach my work as a machine learning (MLE) intern. I have learned that technical brilliance is only half the battle; the ability to collaborate, ask questions, and translate complex ideas into clear, accessible language is what truly drives innovation. Having direct access to Cisco Fellows — the company’s highest technical designation for engineers who act as mentors and visionaries — and a support network that is always there for me has been empowering. This company does not just build technology; it builds people.
My Advice for Future Interns
To any future intern, my advice is simple: make every moment of your twelve weeks count. Do not just stay at your desk. Step out of your comfort zone, explore with your peers, and meet as many people as you can, both professionally and personally. I am excited to continue challenging my own ideas and those of my teammates to see where our collective curiosity leads. Growth does not always happen behind a screen; sometimes, it happens in the experiences you have along the way.
Ready to start your own adventure? Explore open roles and launch your career at careers.cisco.com.