Technical Intern I Review

In my role, I implement, operate monitor, and automate solutions to get Cisco's employees, partners and augmented staff to connect to network by securing their access via Integrated Services Engine (ISE). On daily basis, I automate routine and repetitive tasks, monitor alerts, and respond to customer incidents. Collaboration with other teams may also happen on daily basis. Installation of Cisco ISE patches and software also happens frequently.

The workload and tasks may vary a lot depending on the team, the period, and the current priorities. I believe it is up to the placement employee, and their capabilities whether more responsibility is given or not. During my placement, however, I was given tasks where errors could have caused issues and discomfort, but generally, not much responsibility was placed upon me.

I developed both new technical and professional skills during my placement. I deepened my understanding of Python and object-oriented programming, learned how to write unit tests, and gained hands-on experience integrating APIs. I also became familiar with tools like Cisco ISE, learning how it handles network access control, and used Splunk to analyse network and customer issues. On the industry side, I gained a general understanding of AAA protocols, endpoint compliance, policy management, and various Cisco-specific technologies and terminology.
Professionally, I improved my problem-solving skills, especially when troubleshooting network issues or writing scripts. I also developed better time management and learned how to balance workload with regular meetings and team commitments.

Although the team was small and geographically distributed, which sometimes made immediate support more challenging, I was assigned a mentor in my region who provided reliable and timely guidance when needed. This mentorship was especially valuable for navigating technical issues and understanding team processes. I also learned to work more independently and to communicate effectively across time zones, which strengthened my self-management and problem-solving skills.

The company culture was relaxed and professional in structure, but due to the distributed nature of the team and varying working styles, collaboration was sometimes limited. While some colleagues were helpful, I occasionally found it challenging to get consistent support or engagement. However, this environment helped me become more independent, proactive in seeking out information, and confident in managing my responsibilities. I also appreciated the flexibility and trust placed in interns to handle tasks with autonomy.

I appreciated the opportunity to work on real-world projects and contribute to the team. I gained practical experience with tools and technologies that I had previously only studied in theory. I also enjoyed learning about the day-to-day operations of a large tech company, which helped me clarify my career interests. Overall, the experience was both enjoyable and professionally rewarding.

Yes