Cisco Campus Initiatives

Campus Initiatives

Cisco engages with universities and educational institutions to recruit and develop future talent through various campus initiatives.

Campus Recruitment Programs

1. Objective: Hire top talent from leading universities and provide growth opportunities within the firm.

   • Collaborations: Partnerships with premier institutions like the IITs, IIMs, and other top universities in India.

Internship Programs

1. Initiative: Offering summer internships and rotational programs for students to gain hands-on experience.

   • Impact: Helps students gain insights into the industry and builds a pipeline of future leaders.

   • Collaborations: Various universities and technical institutions.

Educational Collaborations

1. Objective: Support curriculum development and provide industry exposure.

   • Programs: Workshops, guest lectures, and collaborative projects with universities.

   • Collaborations: Multiple educational institutions and professional bodies.

Cisco's comprehensive efforts in CSR, DEI, and campus initiatives demonstrate their commitment to social good, inclusivity, and nurturing future talent through strategic collaborations and impactful projects​ (Cisco Blogs)​​ (Cisco Blogs)​.

Cisco India Campus Initiatives and Hiring Programs

Cisco India Campus Initiatives

1. Cisco Ideathon India

• Overview:

  • Cisco Ideathon is a transformational hiring program designed to break down barriers to employment for all students in India.

  • This initiative has fundamentally changed how Cisco India hires college graduates by engaging students through innovative challenges and assessments.

• Objectives:

  • To create a diverse and inclusive hiring pipeline by reaching out to a broad range of colleges across India.

  • To identify and nurture top talent through competitive events and hackathons.

• Read More:

  • Cisco Ideathon India

2. Increasing Cybersecurity Awareness and Skills Training

• Overview:

  • Cisco has partnered with the NIIT Foundation to increase cybersecurity awareness and provide skills training across India.

  • This initiative aims to equip students with essential cybersecurity skills to meet the growing demand in the industry.

• Objectives:

  • To enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of students through comprehensive training programs.

  • To create a talent pool of cybersecurity professionals ready to tackle modern security challenges.

• Read More:

  • Increasing Cybersecurity Awareness and Skills Training

Cisco India Hiring Programs

1. On-Campus Recruitment

• Pre-Placement Talks (PPTs):

  • Cisco representatives visit top engineering and management colleges to conduct pre-placement talks. These sessions provide insights into Cisco’s culture, job roles, and expectations from potential candidates.

• Online Assessments:

  • Candidates undergo online tests that evaluate their technical skills, coding abilities, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. These assessments are designed to filter candidates based on their technical proficiency.

• Technical Interviews:

  • Selected candidates from the online assessments are invited for multiple rounds of technical interviews. These interviews focus on core computer science concepts, coding challenges, system design, and algorithmic problems.

• HR Interviews:

  • Candidates who clear the technical rounds proceed to HR interviews. These discussions assess the candidate’s fit with Cisco’s culture, communication skills, career aspirations, and behavioral traits.

Read More:

• Cisco Recruitment Process 2022

2. Off-Campus Recruitment

• Application Submission:

  • Candidates apply through Cisco’s career portal or job listings on platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and others. Employee referrals also play a significant role in off-campus hiring.

• Phone Screens:

  • Initial phone screens are conducted by recruiters to evaluate the candidate's background, technical skills, and motivation. This stage often involves a brief discussion about the candidate’s resume, past projects, and technical abilities.

• Technical Assessments:

  • After the phone screen, candidates may be required to complete online technical assessments similar to those in on-campus recruitment. These tests evaluate coding, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

• Technical Interviews:

  • Candidates who pass the assessments move on to technical interviews, which can be conducted virtually or in person. Multiple rounds of interviews focus on coding, algorithms, system design, and domain-specific knowledge.

• HR Interviews:

  • The final stage is the HR interview, where discussions revolve around cultural fit, career goals, and salary negotiations. The HR round ensures that the candidate aligns with Cisco's values and work environment.

Read More:

• Cisco's Inclusive Hiring Program

3. Internship Programs

• Application and Selection:

  • Cisco offers internships to students through on-campus recruitment drives and online applications. Interested students submit their applications through their college placement cells or Cisco’s career portal.

• Online Assessments:

  • Intern applicants undergo online assessments that test debugging, coding, and aptitude skills. The assessment is designed to evaluate technical proficiency and problem-solving abilities.

• Interview Rounds:

  • Selected candidates from the online assessments proceed to interview rounds. Interviews typically include technical interviews and an HR round. Technical interviews focus on coding challenges, algorithms, and core computer science concepts.

• Internship Experience:

  • Interns work on real projects and receive mentorship from Cisco professionals. The internship provides hands-on experience and exposure to Cisco’s work culture and business practices.

• Conversion to Full-Time Employment:

  • High-performing interns may be offered full-time positions upon graduation. The decision is based on the intern’s performance during the internship and their fit within the company.

Read More:

• Cisco 6-month intern + FTE offer via Code-with-Cisco

Colleges Cisco India Hires From

Cisco India focuses on recruiting from premier engineering and management institutions. Here are some of the colleges they typically hire from:

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

  • IIT Bombay

  • IIT Delhi

  • IIT Kanpur

  • IIT Kharagpur

  • IIT Madras

  • IIT Roorkee

  • IIT Guwahati

• National Institutes of Technology (NITs)

  • NIT Trichy

  • NIT Surathkal

  • NIT Warangal

  • NIT Calicut

  • NIT Rourkela

• Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)

  • BITS Pilani

  • BITS Goa

  • BITS Hyderabad

• Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)

  • IIIT Hyderabad

  • IIIT Bangalore

  • IIIT Delhi

• Other Prominent Engineering Colleges

  • Delhi Technological University (DTU)

  • Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT)

  • Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)

• Premier Management Schools

  • Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

  • Indian School of Business (ISB)

  • Xavier School of Management (XLRI)

Read More:

• Cisco Recruitment Process

• Cisco's Inclusive Hiring Program

These details provide an overview of Cisco India's campus initiatives, hiring programs, and the key institutions they target for recruitment, highlighting their comprehensive approach to attracting and nurturing talent.