One Empowered Woman’s Story

“This was one of the best choices I could have made. My Cisco studies got me my current job.” Rachel Pinhas.

Pinhas had no background in networking: “the first time I had heard of Cisco was when the WEP program was introduced to me,” she says.

Despite her lack of familiarity with the tech sector, Pinhas’ interest was snagged: “It looked like a break in the rain,” she says. “Checking out the Cisco CCNA syllabus – it looked like a great career option.”

No one pretends that Cisco courses are easy – but in the case of students who are entirely new to the subject, and are not used to prolonged periods of study and practice, the experience can be a particularly tough one – and uniquely rewarding.

Pinhas was determined to get through: “The in-depth learning was a very serious phase,” although the teaching was conducted in way that was “positive and fun.I very much enjoyed the logical and analytical way of thinking.”

Pinhas powered her way through her IT Essentials course, CCNA Discovery: Networking for Home and Small Businesses and Working for Small-to-Medium Businesses and ISPs. She also completed a CV-writing and interview workshop, and an internship at a local tech business.

“I gained lots of knowledge and the confidence in my own professional contribution and worth in the market. After getting the diploma, I could go looking for a job, based on this knowledge; and more than this, I could present myself in a new way.”

After a period of putting her job hunting and interview classes into practice, Pinhas landed a job in IT as a Helpdesk Technician for Achva Academy, where she has been happily employed for more than a year now.

“This role would not have been open to me without the support of WEP and the Cisco Networking Academy.”