What do a centuries-old pilgrimage path in Spain, a world chief in networking expertise, and $54,986 have in widespread?
Nicely, earlier than I reply that query, let me again up a bit … The Camino de Santiago, established within the ninth century, is a community of pilgrimage routes resulting in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
Did you catch that key phrase? A community of paths — a approach to join folks.
You most likely already know that Cisco is a world chief in community expertise. There’s that phrase once more — community.
At first look, Cisco and the Camino de Santiago seem to have little in widespread. But, each signify advanced, interconnected methods that thrive on a community of connections.
I just lately accomplished my second pilgrimage alongside a bit of the Camino de Santiago. Like final yr’s journey, I devoted my stroll to Medical doctors With out Borders, elevating funds to make sure they’ve the instruments, assets, and help wanted to offer lifesaving medical care, and walked using Cisco’s Time2Give profit. Time2Give is a world providing at Cisco offering staff with 10 days of paid day off, along with our common trip day off, to volunteer at non-profit, non-governmental, and faith-based organizations and colleges of our selection.
Final yr was my first fundraising try, so I began with a conservative purpose of elevating $2,000. I used to be blown away after we surpassed that purpose, elevating a complete of $16,501 for DWB. This yr, I set a extra formidable purpose of $20,000. As of November 27, the Medical doctors With out Borders web site exhibits now we have raised $38,485.
My giving alternative closes December thirty first, however in complete, over two years, we’ve raised $54,986 and counting with the help of many Cisco staff and the generosity of so many others. Cisco additionally matches each worker donation greenback for greenback, as much as $25,000, amplifying our affect.
As I walked 10-15 miles a day on the Camino, I mirrored on my life experiences, my household, mates, religion, and sure, work. Surprisingly, I discovered myself musing on the similarities between the Camino de Santiago and Cisco.
On the Camino, folks from all around the globe come collectively, ranging from varied factors throughout Europe, touring a community of roads and thru cities and communities that welcome them, providing shelter, meals, and encouragement. You’ll hear languages and see folks from all around the world strolling and speaking in concord. Sharing a easy greeting of “Buen Camino” is a typical thread, connecting pilgrims and the community.
Equally, Cisco builds and maintains digital networks which are way over a set of routers and switches. It’s a residing system by way of which companies, governments, and people can talk and collaborate. Cisco fosters group by way of its applied sciences, connecting folks throughout the globe and enabling groups to work collectively seamlessly. Cisco makes human expression attainable no matter distance or circumstance.
But it surely’s not simply the technological side of Cisco that creates connections; it’s the group inside Cisco itself. The supportive atmosphere, collaboration, and shared targets all contribute to a tradition that conjures up staff to construct and strengthen our personal networks.
For example, I used to be impressed by a gaggle of greater than 400 Cisconians, relations, and mates who walked the Camino, elevating cash for most cancers consciousness in 2022. Though I couldn’t be part of them then, they set an instance for my pilgrimage and inspired me alongside the best way.
Though I’ve traveled this path twice and exceeded my fundraising targets, I did nothing extraordinary. All I did was comply with my coronary heart, and put one foot in entrance of one other, for an excellent trigger. I’ve come to understand that point is a treasured commodity, and what we select to do with time, can decide the trajectory of our lives and others, and that we must always use it properly. Worker advantages corresponding to Time2Give and fund matching assist us, as Cisconians, accomplish that. They permit us to search out one thing we’re keen about, use our and Cisco’s networks to step out onto our paths, and proceed to assist make the world a more in-depth place and energy a extra inclusive future for all.
My very own Camino journey was over 10 years within the making. Possibly I used to be such as you, working at a desk, sitting behind a pc, content material studying about different folks’s adventures. There comes a time to cease studying and begin doing.
I’m grateful to Cisco for the chance to step away from the enterprise for 2 weeks on this unbelievable journey and for matching the donations. I’m extremely grateful for the generosity of people that supported me in my journey financially and spiritually. I recognize the number of methods I acquired help from Cisco. This sense of group is what makes Cisco greater than only a office — it’s a community of people that help one another in making a constructive affect on the world.
On the coronary heart of each Cisco and the Camino de Santiago is the notion of group. It’s right here the place we discover a widespread thread: the ability of connection. These are the connections that assist convey our world’s world residents nearer. Certainly, these are the connections that make $54,986 attainable.
I’m in awe of the connectivity that binds us collectively, and within the networks of each the Camino de Santiago and Cisco that flip an thought or a chance right into a actuality.
Buen Camino.
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