Meet Jeremy from Cisco Insider Advocates

Our clients are the guts and soul of all the things we do at Cisco and every one among them has an attention-grabbing story to inform! Our Q&A sequence permits us to shine a highlight on a few of our most passionate buyer advocates as we be taught extra about their tales and backgrounds.

Cisco’s advocacy neighborhood, Cisco Insider Advocates, brings our clients collectively and gives a method for them to make highly effective connections, increase their skilled and private networks, and be taught from high consultants of their subject. Certainly one of our targets with our advocacy neighborhood is to deepen {our relationships} with our clients and right now, we’ve one of many friendliest faces in the neighborhood becoming a member of us for a chat. I’m excited to welcome Jeremy Shupick from Wyoming Equipment Firm.

Welcome, Jeremy! Let’s kick issues off by speaking about what you needed to be while you have been 16 years previous?

Wow, what a fantastic query! Nicely, after I was 16, I lived in Gillette, Wyoming. I used to be a gymnastics coach for my after-school job and enjoying with a Franklin Ace 1000 that my mother and father obtained from some mates, so I began younger (for my technology), pounding on the keyboard. That interest actually obtained me interested by know-how. I made a decision to take any class that would assist me within the tech space which, on the time, there weren’t many lessons. I discovered a tech faculty in Colorado referred to as DIT (Denver Institute of Expertise) the place I might get an Associates in Pc Networking diploma in 18 months. I additionally went for his or her scholarship and was the one one making use of there, so I obtained it. It was solely $1,000 however hey, something helps! Throughout faculty, we constructed our personal PC and realized the fundamentals of networking. The college modified its title to Westwood School of Expertise whereas I used to be enrolled, however has since shut down. However again then, I needed to be a Community Administrator and as you may see from my title, right here I’m!

Woah, what a journey out of your first after-school job as a gymnastics coach! The place did you begin your profession in IT? And, what skilled resolution or alternative helped lead you to your present function?

Nicely, whereas going to varsity I grabbed any job I might get my fingers on, even when the title didn’t have IT in it. Since I had IT information, although, I provided to help anyplace I might, and I believe that basically helped me as I began getting expertise on many alternative programs. I made an enormous resolution whereas residing in Colorado. On the time, my spouse and I had a two-year-old and one other on the best way. My mother-in-law advised me a few Community Administrator Assistant place at Wyoming Equipment Firm in Casper, Wyoming, the place she labored on the time. I used to be like, effectively, we do wish to dwell nearer to household for the youngsters, so why not!?

As you may most likely guess, they provided me the job and I accepted. My thought on the time was, insurance coverage kicks in on November 1 and my son was due on November 9! I used to be taking a $10,000 a 12 months pay minimize, however because it seems, Wyoming doesn’t have a state earnings tax they usually provided me higher insurance coverage, so my take dwelling pay was really extra. So, all the things labored out and later down the road when my boss retired, I used to be capable of apply and transfer as much as Community Administrator. So right here I’m 18 years later, and regardless that it’s difficult at instances, I do love my job. Additionally, over the previous 18 years, my spouse and I’ve been flipping homes. We’re at the moment on home quantity 11, and I advised my spouse: That is it, we’re not transferring once more! I virtually surprise if I ought to be within the IT or the home renovation enterprise!

 

That’s a brilliant lovely and private technique to transition into networking. Additionally, I really feel like you’re equally a renovation knowledgeable and a networking knowledgeable at this level! How has partnering with Cisco helped you in your function?

Through the years, I’ve used increasingly more Cisco tools and software program. Coming to Wyoming Equipment Firm, they have been an Avaya store for telephones on the time. In addition they used 3Comm switches and Cisco routers. After I began, they determined to go along with Cisco for the cellphone system, and from then on the telephones have been placed on my plate to handle, together with routers, switches and servers. I felt like a one-man band! We do have a group right here, however plenty of us have our personal specialties and it takes time to cross-train. I don’t really feel like I’ve sufficient time! Cisco has been there after I wanted them.

What’s been your greatest problem in your organization not too long ago, and the way did you overcome it?

I wouldn’t say I’ve actually overcome any challenges, because it appears it’s on-going or the main focus generally shifts. As quickly as you repair one factor, one other breaks or wants an improve. One problem I’d say could be good to beat is when a salesman is promoting you one thing with a pleasant demo they usually provide the value. I’d wish to see that value embrace full setup to make it work just like the demo!

The demo state of affairs does sound like it could be irritating! Let’s transfer on to our buyer advocacy neighborhood. How would you describe it to these aren’t aware of it?

It’s an unique place the place you’re feeling inclusive! A spot the place there isn’t a dumb query, and you’re inspired to indicate off your work!

That’s precisely the neighborhood setting we’re making an attempt to foster. You’re one among our neighborhood “Rockstars.” What made you wish to be part of, and the way has being a part of this neighborhood impacted you each professionally and personally?

I joined, I believe, again in 2019 when it was The Cisco Gateway Americas. I’m not certain what 12 months the neighborhood began, however I’m at all times down for something that’s gamified, so I used to be like, why not!? I can be taught and get free stuff! Heck, it’s a WIN-WIN! Additionally, when you may learn different folks’s tales about how they overcame sure challenges, it helps you consider how one can attempt to overcome yours. It provides you a unique perspective on the subject.

Let’s transfer on to this 12 months’s Cisco Stay. You have been one among our “Highway to Cisco Stay Winners” which meant you have been at Cisco Stay U.S. in Las Vegas! We might like to know extra about your expertise as one of many winners. On a scale of 1-5 (5 being the very best), how would you describe your general expertise this 12 months? How did it evaluate to earlier Cisco Stay conferences?

I must say a ten! Oh, on a scale to five … I’d nonetheless give it a ten!

I had already booked all the things for 2022, in order that they let me shift my journey, lodge, and registration to 2023, which is good. This 12 months, lastly being again in individual, was a greater expertise than the digital occasions during the last two years. You might be simply in a unique mindset while you’re in individual. I discover you may focus extra. Once you’re out of the workplace, it’s simpler to disregard the little fires again on the workplace that may wait.

Plus, the hospitality that the Cisco Advocacy group confirmed me made me really feel like a star! The breakfast meetup for the advocate Rockstars was a pleasant technique to break the ice and get to satisfy everybody. The cocktail meetup was nice, too. It was good that the winners from different areas have been capable of come to the U.S., as I obtained to satisfy folks from throughout the globe. Additionally, while you’re a part of an unique group, you get the backstage cross to the sales space the place they’ve the perfect refreshments!

What a rating, we’re flattered! You additionally had an opportunity to satisfy for the primary time/reconnect with a few of your friends from the neighborhood and members of the advocacy group. How did you discover reconnecting with everybody at Cisco Stay this 12 months?

It was nice to lastly meet everybody who I’ve been corresponding with nearly over the previous few years. Though some faces have modified on the advocacy group, I really feel the friendliness has not!

Thanks Jeremy! We’re delighted to listen to that the pleasant and welcoming setting we work so exhausting to create continues to be felt in individual. We’re virtually on the finish of the interview and we’d love to complete with three issues you may’t dwell with out?

1. Household.
2. Expertise.
3. Cisco Insider Advocates! After all!

Good picks, Jeremy! It’s been a pleasure, thanks once more for becoming a member of us.

You might be welcome, Rashik!

Learn extra advocate interviews

You may take pleasure in this interview with Joacim Wicander.

Be a part of us!

For our clients who’ve already joined our Cisco Insider Advocates neighborhood, say  whats up to Jeremy in case you haven’t met one another but. And for these Cisco clients who haven’t but joined, take into account doing so. You’ll have the ability to:

• Join with friends in a gamified, on-line neighborhood
• Have a chance to satisfy with Cisco’s executives
• Share your suggestions, questions, and greatest practices
• Get entry to ‘insider’ content material and sources
• Develop your skilled and private model
• Amplify your organization’s success story with Cisco know-how

Able to get began?

Head over to the Cisco Insider Advocates Group and say whats up!

(Requires registration / login)

 

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