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Empathy is key in this role. It’s important to understand the business needs of customers, figure out how technology applies to that, and know the audience.

Systems engineer

Olivia Wolf

"Empathy is key in this role. It’s important to understand the business needs of customers, figure out how technology applies to that, and know the audience."

How it all began

You can have both a professional and a personal superpower -- in one

You can have both a professional and a personal superpower -- in one

I studied computer engineering in college and wanted to go into software development. But I didn’t want to be writing code all day, stuck in front of a computer. I really liked working with people and making connections and relationships outside of just technology. So, I wanted to explore different jobs, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted, until I received a scholarship to attend the Grace Hopper Conference for Women in Computing in 2019.

It was fate. At this conference and career fair, I spoke with a systems engineer who explained their job role and responsibilities and I decided this was the job for me! It was everything I was looking for.

You can have both a professional and a personal superpower -- in one

My personal superpower is that I love to try new things. And I love to share the things I do with other people. It’s also a professional superpower because I love to talk about what I do with others. And that’s what a systems engineer does. I discuss technology with other people and try to understand my audience so I can communicate about the technology in a way that they’ll understand.

About Olivia

Certifications

CCNA
CCNP Enterprise
DevNet Associate

Location

Denver, CO

Hobbies

Skating role model
Rock climbing
Hiking & camping

What does having a Cisco Certification mean to you?

"The knowledge that I’ve got from studying for those certifications gave me the confidence that I’ll always be able to get a job if I need to."

The certifications definitely changed my life. They helped me get a job at a large technology company and helped form my career trajectory. Plus the knowledge that I’ve got from studying for those certifications gave me the confidence that I’ll always be able to get a job if I need to.
Olivia Wolf

What would you tell your younger self?

I’m still so young! I’d say don’t rush into anything. Maybe taking a little bit of time before going to a university or not accepting the first job offered would have been beneficial to finding something that I’m really passionate about. I found it eventually, with engineering, but looking back, I could have taken more time.

What would you tell a friend?

I’d tell then them that it’s a great way to get a jump start on a career. It’s pretty much the first thing you need to get. You’ll get basic foundational knowledge on how networks function, which will basically guarantee you a first role in IT.

Read more certification success stories

Jenny Guay

"The guidance I gained from earning the certification helped— in near real time—to determine what was happening on the job, when I became an SOC operator."

Network security analyst
CyberOps Associate

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Mukul Manikandan

"The certification experience gave me a lot of the knowledge that I needed for the fundamentals that I didn’t get from my undergrad. The certifications took over and gave me all the necessary background I needed."

Automation engineer
CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, CCNA Security, DevNet Associate

Read Mukul's story

Micheline Murphy

"I derive a great deal of pride from having these certs. Certifications are a box I can stand on in front of the room and be the expert. They help me to stand up with confidence and authority."

Consulting engineer
CCNA, CCNP Data Center,
CCNP Enterprise

Read Micheline's story
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Share your Cisco Certification Success Story

Has earning a Cisco certification positively changed your life or career, or both? Do you think your Cisco certification story would help encourage other people to earn their Cisco certification? If so, we want to talk to you!