After I stepped into the world of expertise, I by no means imagined I’d see today so early in my profession. Since I’m a reasonably current addition to the Cisco household, the chance to attend Cisco Reside in Las Vegas was already momentous. Little did I do know this expertise would surpass all expectations. I discovered myself embracing a task I by no means anticipated: Speaker!
I don’t know in the event you can think about my preliminary shockwaves once I acquired an surprising invitation to help a seasoned professional with a 4-hour lab session. I wasn’t simply excited. I used to be humbled to know somebody acknowledged my potential and trusted me with such duty.
I’m going to take you behind the scenes of Cisco Reside for a glimpse into what audio system expertise. You’ll view the opposite facet of the speaker curtain, see what it’s like to organize, and even discover some humor in my first-time story.
“The viewers shouldn’t be in opposition to you; they’re rooting for you,” he mentioned.
“They’re there to study one thing.”
First impressions of Cisco Reside Las Vegas
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After I arrived within the vibrant metropolis of Las Vegas for Cisco Reside, I used to be struck by the grandeur and scale of Cisco Reside. The joy within the air was seen as attendees and exhibitors from all corners of the globe flooded the Mandalay Bay Conference Heart.
Standing in the course of the busy conference halls, I noticed groups diligently organising cubicles and shows. I felt nervous but exhilarated.
My first session on Jupyter Pocket book was additionally the opener for the Cisco U. Theater. Earlier than taking the stage, I used to be apprehensive on the considered addressing such a big viewers, however I felt assured. I drew power in figuring out I used to be well-prepared and passionate concerning the subject. Plus, I had supportive mentors round me.
With a deep breath, I took the stage. I used to be prepared—able to ship the session that may set the tone for an unbelievable week of studying.
In November 2022, Hank Preston, Principal Engineer, requested me to help him along with his four-hour, instructor-led lab session. I used to be fairly excited as a result of I didn’t suppose many Cisconians obtained to go to Cisco Reside this rapidly of their profession. However I used to be additionally nervous as a result of it was Hank, a celeb within the networking subject. I didn’t know the way I’d be capable to current. However in fact, I mentioned sure, and we began placing the lab collectively.
Cisco U. had just lately been launched to the world. So the Cisco U. Theater was arrange on the Studying & Certifications (L&C) sales space, and so they requested audio system from L&C to current on any subject they wished to within the Cisco U. Theater. I selected Jupyter Pocket book (a kind of command line interface [CLI] for Python) as a result of I had used it lots in school, and it was totally different than what everybody else would current.
How I turned a Cisco Reside speaker
![Akhila Pamukuntla and Hank Preston speaking at Cisco Live 2023 Las Vegas.](https://i0.wp.com/storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images/ciscoblogs/1/2023/08/2.jpg?resize=550%2C388&ssl=1)
All of it started in November 2022 when Hank Preston, Principal Engineer, requested me to help him along with his 4-hour, instructor-led lab session. I used to be fairly excited. In any case, I didn’t suppose the possibility to attend Cisco Reside was all that widespread for individuals like me—these so early of their Cisco profession, that’s.
However I used to be additionally nervous. This was Hank Preston. Hank is just about a celeb within the networking subject. On the considered pairing up with him, I puzzled how I’d be capable to current. However in fact, I mentioned sure. And we began placing the lab—our lab— collectively.
Simply once I thought Hank’s lab session was my solely focus for Cisco Reside Las Vegas, I used to be invited to talk on the Cisco U. Theater!
In regards to the Cisco U. Theater
We just lately launched the world to Cisco U., a brand new digital studying expertise that gives modular, bite-sized studying in your second of want. The Cisco U. Theater is an iteration of this idea, providing quick lightning talks on particular tech matters. Among the finest components of the theater is Cisco Reside attendees can drop in at a second’s discover as they go to the Studying and Certifications Sales space within the World of Options.
So when the crew provided me the possibility to current on my alternative of subject, I selected Jupyter Pocket book. Jupyter Pocket book is a kind of command line interface (CLI) for Python. I had used it lots in school, and it was totally different from what everybody else would current within the Cisco U. Theater.
![Akhila Pamukuntla and Raymond Viscaina present, "What Happens When I Click Start Lab?"](https://i0.wp.com/storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images/ciscoblogs/1/2023/08/5.jpg?resize=550%2C388&ssl=1)
So right here I used to be pondering I used to be there to assist with a lab session, however then I used to be requested to talk on the Cisco U. Theater! Not lengthy after, my supervisor, Raymond Viscaina, Engineering Chief, requested me to help him with his theater session, What Occurs After I Click on Begin Lab. I couldn’t consider it. Now I needed to prep for 2 theater periods and a lab session. What a bonus!
Getting via prep periods
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Surreal. It’s the one phrase I can consider to explain the prep for the lab session with Hank. Nonetheless, as for my solo session within the theater, I used to be too centered on my presentation to consider nearly the rest.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to have Engineering Chief Joe Rinehart assigned as my mentor a number of weeks earlier than the occasion. As I practiced my solo session with Joe, a number of the ideas he gave included: “Follow usually, observe in entrance of a mirror, and area issues.”
He mentioned I ought to discover a area like an empty room or theater, which is lots totally different than training in your bed room. So, I went to my native library and requested for an empty room. With me, pre-event blueprints of the theater and a map of the sales space format. I even had a photograph of Cisco Reside Amsterdam’s crowd on the Cisco U. Theater to organize me for the amount of attendees in Las Vegas, regardless of listening to Las Vegas could be a lot better in scale.
About two weeks earlier than I left, I used to be utilizing each software in my arsenal to visualise the occasion, mentally making ready myself. And that’s once I realized my session was the opening session—the very first Cisco U. Theater session of the week.
Till that second, I didn’t even know what time or day I used to be presenting; I simply stored training. However once I noticed the date was Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, I spotted no different speaker was scheduled earlier than me. Properly, you may think about my response.
I used to be terrified.
Presenting on the large day
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Not solely was I the primary speaker to current within the theater, however the Studying and Certifications Sales space was the primary sight for attendees upon getting into the World of Options. The WoS additionally opened at the very same time as my session, and attendees had been prepared and ready. I turned a bundle of nerves once I noticed the onslaught of individuals.
Earlier than we began, we needed to check my microphone. First, they put it on my T-shirt. That didn’t sound correct. So, then they gave me a headset. That didn’t work out, both. My head is sort of small, so we needed to work just a little more durable to get it to suit.
“Converse louder,” they mentioned. They stored telling me, repeatedly, to talk louder through the mic check. I felt like I used to be yelling. I quickly realized I needed to communicate louder as a result of extra individuals could be getting into the World of Options through the presentation. No stress, I believed.
After I lastly began talking to the gang, I noticed Joe, my pre-Cisco-Reside prep mentor. I instantly recalled one thing essential he mentioned throughout these periods.
“The viewers shouldn’t be in opposition to you; they’re rooting for you,” he mentioned. “They’re there to study one thing.”
My session was streaming dwell on the Cisco Coaching and Certification LinkedIn web page and on the Cisco U. by Studying and Certifications YouTube Channel. My household was watching. No stress.
After I first began my presentation, I may really feel my voice shaking. Perhaps three to 5 minutes into it, although, I spotted it wasn’t as unhealthy as I believed it might be. I attempted to make eye contact with as many individuals as I may. I used to be nonetheless a bit scared. What in the event that they didn’t react?
However with each head nod, I felt my confidence develop. I used to be making sense to them. And that stored me going.
Throughout my speak, I requested the viewers questions. “What number of of you might be acquainted with Jupyter and have used it earlier than?” My purpose was to get them engaged. That was one in all Hank’s ideas. It is advisable to know in the event that they’re with you. (And sure, a number of individuals had heard of Jupyter and had even used it earlier than.)
![An engaged crowd at the Cisco U. Theater.](https://i0.wp.com/storage.googleapis.com/blogs-images/ciscoblogs/1/2023/08/8.jpg?resize=550%2C388&ssl=1)
Subsequent up, a demo. I used to be really displaying them Jupyter Pocket book dwell, in actual time. The traces of code had been already written, with me executing and explaining every step as I went via it. I seen individuals typing alongside, taking notes as I continued.
Lastly, I had made it via. And what a aid! After that, my different shows fell into place; the Cisco U. Theater session with my supervisor, plus the 4-hour lab session with Hank. Satirically, though I used to be in a smaller room, I used to be extra nervous there. And the one half I had practiced essentially the most was the half I barely stumbled over! I obtained via that as nicely, although. I need to say, trying again at my expertise, I discovered lots about presenting from being a speaker at Cisco Reside. However the factor that I’ll all the time bear in mind is how I obtained there: my mentors.
Mentors make all of the distinction
After I mirror on the entire Cisco Reside expertise, I notice I went via fairly a metamorphosis. Initially, the concern of presenting in entrance of a crowd and being surrounded by professionals overwhelmed me. Nonetheless, trying again now, I notice it was the unbelievable people I encountered and the significant conversations we shared that made my expertise actually unforgettable.
It wasn’t simply the colleagues and friends round me. It was additionally these whom I offered to. It was each surprising message I acquired on LinkedIn, asking to study extra concerning the subject of my session. It was once I was singled out and stopped by attendees on the aisles of Cisco Reside to precise their appreciation for my theater session.
The help and encouragement I acquired after my theater session reassured me. I had made a optimistic impression. However that’s not all. Talking at Cisco Reside sparked newfound confidence inside me. It has taught me that it’s the individuals and the connections we type that in the end make any expertise significant and memorable. And I can’t wait to do it once more.
Thanks for studying! I invite you to look at my first session as a Cisco Reside Speaker under.
Watch “Jupyter Notebooks,” by Akhila Pumukuntla, offered within the Cisco U. Theater at Cisco Reside 2023 Las Vegas.
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