My journey at Cisco began in 2018, and ever since, I've been a person passionate about volunteering. One day, I discovered that Cisco was deeply involved in the "Giving Back" movement, and it filled me with enthusiasm. I decided to apply as a volunteer, with a special focus on the "Women in IT" project, which was called "Girls Power Tech" at the time.
I was led by an extraordinary leader, Eliana, who showed appreciation for my work from the very beginning. However, it was in 2020, a challenging year for all of us due to the pandemic, that Eliana shared an insight that would change everything. She noticed that our in-person events, though inspiring, weren't producing significant results in terms of increasing women's representation in the IT field. Eliana believed that certifications were more concrete paths for women to enter the IT workforce.
That's how, in 2020, we launched the "Women Rock IT" project in a bold and innovative format. We had three volunteer teachers and offered fully online classes. What happened next was truly inspiring: over 11,000 women enrolled, all seeking a chance for free CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) training and the possibility of obtaining an international certification.
This changed our lives. More importantly, it changed the lives of many women. Our mission began to take shape and grow with each passing year. I thank Eliana for envisioning the vision of inclusion, and extending it to women from all Portuguese-speaking countries. And above all, I want to thank every student who placed their trust in our work.
With online classes taught by the best teachers in Brazil, a sorority community, support from Cisco's tools, and the commitment of our sponsors and volunteers, we are empowering women to achieve financial independence and reach the long-sought gender equity in the IT market.
Today, we are more than 1,700 graduates over the four years of the project, and many of them have found job opportunities thanks to our sponsoring partners' support. But there's something deeper to it all.
I can speak on behalf of Eliana and myself when I say that what truly fills us with joy isn't just the numbers and statistics. What truly moves us are the stories of the students. Hearing about the transformations that the project brought to their lives is an indescribable experience. It's a powerful reminder that together, as a global community, we are making a difference.
And we won't stop here. Our desire is to continue attracting more women into the world of technology and expanding this project to reach more countries and Cisco teams. Together, we are building a future where inclusion and empowerment of women in technology aren't just a dream but a global reality that is becoming increasingly tangible. This is our legacy, and we look forward to seeing where it will lead us next.
Video interview in Portuguese: https://community.cisco.com/t5/women-in-tech/portuguese-conhe%C3%A7a-veruska-eliana-e-o-programa-writ/ba-p/5265559#M13
Veruska Clednev Balestrin
Women Rock IT Brazil
