Your will is a strong factor in helping to guide you as you figure out your way in life. For me, as a baker and a Recruitment Coordinator (Global Staffing Administration) lead at Cisco, my motto has become, “Where there is a whisk, there is a way!”
I’ve always had a love for food, and baking has been an extension to my passion for all things yummy. For the longest time, I was just baking for my family. I would, of course, share my creations on Facebook which started a few playful taunts around the office, “Preeti, when are you going to bring those delicious treats we see on Facebook all the time to the office?”
And then the time finally came to treat my co-workers! I made batches of cupcakes for the team at work and it was very well received. Yet, even then, baking was still just something I did for fun.
One day a friend of mine called in a frenzy – her baker had just backed out from baking her son’s birthday cake four days before the birthday! She wasn’t sure what to do with such little time, and then she offered, “Why don’t you make the cake, and I’ll pay you?”
I was shocked! I had never thought of this passion as something beyond providing treats for my family. I asked what she had in mind, and it seemed possible – so I went for it! And that is how my first professional cake came to be.
Soon thereafter, a Cisco co-worker asked if I could possibly do 150 cupcakes for an event she was hosting. Up until then, I had never made more than 24-30 cupcakes at any one time, and now I was being asked to do 150! There is truly something to be said about the level of trust, and confidence your Cisco co-workers place in you. She was convinced I was the baker for this event, and so…I took up the challenge! I have since baked for a couple of teams on multiple occasions and each one has been a rewarding experience
You might be asking yourself, “What does any of this have to do with working at Cisco?” And I would say, “A lot.” 😀
Working at Cisco and baking are very similar in my eyes, most especially because both are work that is driven by passion. By bringing my baking into the office, this has also shown me so much about the Cisco culture and the amazing people that I work with every day. They do not need to take an interest in my passions outside the office, but they do – because we really care about each other. I also love that Cisco’s flexibility encourages you to pursue your passions outside of the office. Your love for something besides work is appreciated here, and – to me – is all the encouragement one needs to chase after ALL of their dreams in life.
Innovation and change has been key here at Cisco, and what I have come to realize is that the same goes for the world of baking. Working at Cisco has opened my eyes to see how innovation is around us daily, and I see a world that is constantly changing, innovating, and reinventing itself. Why shouldn’t it be the same for my baking?
Creating my desserts is no longer about simply mixing up a batter and loading it with frosting. The list is endless with what I can do with cake – yes, cake! From gravity defying cakes, rotating cakes, hanging cakes – there is so much that can be done when the options are endless, and I am ready to embrace the challenge.
This is something I’ve learned because I’ve worked at Cisco. When you #LoveWhereYouWork – you end up stretching your limits to learn something new, face challenges, and discover what you are truly capable of.
Want to work somewhere pretty sweet? 😉 We’re hiring! Apply now.
Your cakes and cupcakes look divine, especially that racetrack #4. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
Wowwww!!!! Great to see this blog Preetiii
I simply adore the cakes you bake, and fortunate to be part of your team to relish more of it 😉
Thanks Divya! 🙂
Preeti – I love how you draw the comparisons of passion and innovation between your hobby and your work at Cisco. You bring both passion and innovative thinking with you every day. So glad you have a creative outlet both in Cisco and on those rare evenings you're not on WebEx!
Those cupcake pictures are making my mouth water!
Thank you Tim 🙂
Preeti – Your words and cakes are beautiful. I wanted to write exactly what Tim said, so I'll just say, "Ditto." I do love how you write about your passions for work and baking and having the opportunity to blend the two. Not everyone is as lucky!
Thank you so much Nancy! 🙂
Preethi, this is an amazing article, and your work speaks for itself (looks and taste!) I love how you have embraced your passion for baking and are able to relate it to the experience you’ve had here at Cisco. AWESOME!
Thanks Harriet! And honestly, writing the article made me realise how much similarity there was between the two.. 🙂
Beautiful message and artistry, Preeti. I love how you bring your whole self to work and encourage all those around you to do the same! Keep whisking!
Thank you Amber 🙂
awesome writing, Preeti..
your passion and profession, so beautifully woven, making magic happen!
thank you for all the smiles you spread through your cake art! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Wonderful article Preeti. As delicious as your cup cakes.
Thank you!
So happy for you Preets, keep up the good work.
Thank you!
Beautifully written Preets. You are extremely talented. Rhea will be very excited to know you have penned this blog.
Thanks Kunch! 🙂
Lovely article & inspiring. So when are you bring the next batch of cupcakes to work :P.
Lol! Hopefully before the year ends 🙂
Inspiring article Preeti 🙂
Thank you Ambrina!
such a great article Preeti!
You know that I am your devoted fan both at work (my Avature mentor!) as well as on Facebook, were I contentiously admire the pieces of arts you bake!!
Thank you Aleksandra 🙂
Inspiring blog Preeti and of course a fan of your blueberry cuppy cakes….yum yum yum 🙂
Thank you!
Preeti – Inspiring Woman 🙂
Thank you!
So lovely to read Preeti! Can we order some? 🙂
Thank you!
Great post, thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
You rock, rockstar!
Awesomeeee
Well written preets you rock girl!!!