Keep the ideas coming
That’s the mantra of Cisco Ideathon, a unique platform for students brimming with potential and creativity to immerse themselves in cutting-edge technological advances and solve the complex problems of the world. Here, original thinking, innovation, and problem-solving aptitude take center stage, and the reward is a gateway to tangible opportunities.
Qualifiers of the Ideathon stand to secure coveted internships, with the potential for full-time placements within Cisco. It's a chance not only to contribute to meaningful change but also to kickstart a promising career journey with the global technology leader.
The Stevie Gold® Award winner
For the Innovative Use of Technology in Human Resources
Great Place to Work Award ceremony in 2023
Called out by the State Government of Odisha
How to Participate
Ensure prompt completion of the registration form. Any inaccuracies or omissions may jeopardize eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
Should be final-year students of the Cisco Networking Academy.
Judging Criteria
Only the most robust ideas, thoroughly researched, meticulously considered, and logically presented with solid data support, make the cut.
Disclaimer
Cisco retains the sole discretion to accept or reject any entry.
Why Ideathon?
Sustainable Hiring Model
Catalyzes the transition from conventional hiring to non-traditional and fosters diversity.
Inclusive Platform
Unlocks the doorway to the expansive Cisco ecosystem for students across India, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
Innovation Hub
Nurtures groundbreaking ideas with the potential to reshape our world.
Career Builder
Ignites the careers of students in the realm of technology, providing a launching pad for their professional journey.
How do you benefit?
Hiring across PAN India
Targeted around 600 Networking Academy partner colleges
Fair selection and judging
Direct entry to the Cisco Universe
Testimonals
Aastha
Consulting Engineer
Interning at Cisco as a Technical Intern -1 was like unlocking a treasure chest of knowledge and innovation. Every day was an adventure, filled with learning new technologies and solving complex problems. This experience not only sharpened my technical skills but also transformed my outlook on the limitless possibilities within the tech world. It was a thrilling journey of growth and discovery.
Akash Chandra V
Technical Consulting Engineer
Through the course of the internship I have always had endless opportunities presented to me to both learn and put my skills to test. The journey has been great with people who were always open to support. Cisco was very welcoming and truly brought the best out of me in the workplace.
Akash S Vora
Technical Consulting Engineer
Working at Cisco has been an incredible journey, marked by a fantastic work-life balance and a collaborative culture. I've also faced few challenges that have spurred both personal and professional growth, teaching me valuable lessons. For those entering the corporate world, remember that success hinges not just on skill but also on patience and confidence. Always be open to learning new things and take every opportunity to share thoughts with others; this will help you learn more and improve faster.
Yamini Aravapalli
Software Engineer
Landing a job in Cisco through Ideathon is a dream come true for me. I've embraced continuous learning from experienced leaders and supportive peers, leading to wholesome development. Joining Cisco means entering a community that fosters creativity, collaboration, and endless opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Diksha Rani
Software Engineering
The Cisco Ideathon was a transformative experience for me. It not only provided a structured framework for ideation and innovation but also fostered an environment where I could develop practical and inventive solutions. This experience boosted my confidence in tackling real-world challenges effectively.
Inspiration Centre
Empowering students with career opportunities
Emerging Talent
Recruiting Innovations
Recruiting Innovations
In Conversation with Karthik
Information Centre
Networking Academy
Technology combined with education is unstoppable.
What started from a single school is now a pipeline of technical talent who are shaping communities and economies around the world with their transformative skills in the digital world. Over 10.9 million students already, Networking Academy educates talented futurists and let their genius shine!
Emerging Talent Recruiting
Hands-on experience wins hands down!
Cisco is one of the world’s best companies to work for. Our internships and new grad program provide opportunities to build skills and gain relevant experience in technical and non-technical fields. Find a program that works best for you and launch your future!
Customer Experience
Every complexity has a simplification.
Collaborate with Cisco CX to maximize your technology investments. Support from our global expertise in managing millions of devices, guidance from insights on automation derived from AI / ML data, and operational management of your IT environment, will accelerate your path to success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
- How do I register for the program?
The registration links will be available at the bottom of the e-posters, sent through your respective Cisco Networking Academy affiliated colleges.
- What documents should I get to register for Cisco Ideathon?
Documentary evidence of the eligibility criteria is all that is required.
- Is there a minimum CGPA cut-off?
A CGPA of 6 and above in the last highest degree obtained.
- Do I need to register as part of college, or can I register as an individual?
Please register as individuals only.
- How long will the Cisco Ideathon challenge take?
The Challenge is broken down into 2 phases, the first phase will be an online assessment which includes MCQ and coding for a duration of 90 minutes. The shortlisted candidates will be given problem statements and given 1 week’s time to prepare an MS PowerPoint Presentation as a solution. During the second phase, candidates will have to present the PowerPoint Presentation prepared by them during the interview discussion.
- Will the results of the Cisco Ideathon affect any future chances of applying to Cisco? Can I still take part in a different hiring process by Cisco?
Regardless of the outcome, all applicants can apply to any other open positions (current or future) at Cisco.
Online Assessment & Submission Details
- What are the topics required to prepare and study for this contest?
The challenge content is mainly based on CCNA level questions. There will also be an open book test on the latest Industry technology advancements that will be in the form of a Powerpoint presentation submission. You may come prepared accordingly. - What Desktop configuration and accessories are required for the online challenge?
Desktop or laptop with Internet connectivity. Web-proctoring will be enabled all the time during the contest. If the students move out of the window, the test will auto-submit, and you can potentially lose your opportunity. - Can I use my phone for attempting the test?
The test needs to be attempted only from a desktop or laptop. - What will happen if my desktop breaks down during testing?
Restart the test where the test was stopped within 20 minutes.
Internship
- Is this contest for internship only or is it for full-time placement as well?
All selected candidates will be offered either a full-time job offer only or a Dual Offer (Internship position + pre-placement full-time job offer).
- Can you give me an idea of the kind of job I am applying for with this test?
You will be competing for an internship as part of this program and your internship and the subsequent offer will be in the Customer Experience and Digital Enterprise Solutions, business units of Cisco.
- Do I need to have coding skills for this?
Coding is an essential part of a networking engineer’s skill set and will be a plus. However, coding is not required to attempt the Ideathon.
- What sort of salary are we looking at? What are the perks of joining?
The compensation and benefits at Cisco are highly competitive. The details will be made available to you at the time of Internship and job offer.
- What will my job location be if I get offered a role at Cisco?
Internship positions are based out of either Bangalore, Chennai, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Mumbai or Pune.
For further queries, please reach out to us at: support_cisco_ideathon@cisco.com