Cisco Networking Academy Dream Team: Deborah’s Final Day at NBA All-Star 2015

This week, Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility followed Deborah Huyler and Andrew Torres, two Cisco Networking Academy Dream Team students, as they set up wireless access points, provided network troubleshooting, and soaked in the sights and sounds of NBA All-Star 2015. They shared their stories from Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center, and other event venues through journal entries, photo slideshows, and videos!

Read Deborah’s final post below:

Hi everyone, this is going to be my last blog of the week! I had a great time working with the different technologies at NBA All-Star 2015.

I was lucky enough to meet NBA legend John Sparks as part of the NBA All-Star 2015 experience!

There were so many learning opportunities, from deploying miles of cable to connecting the different networks together. Yesterday, I was involved in a filming session — very exciting!

The film crew taped me, and then did a few retakes before approving the interview. Now I know how the stars feel! I cannot wait to see the final product!

Follow the #NetAcadNBA hashtag on Twitter for updates on the final video!

The teams have finished setting up the venues and are now in support mode. In addition to the filming yesterday, I also worked at the Four Seasons Hotel. While there, I assisted at the help desk, which the NBA’s IT team set up earlier in the week.

I work in the same type of environment back home, and the calls that came in were familiar to me. I helped users set up email on their cell phones, troubleshoot faulty printers, and coordinate the wiring of another hotel room.

A few of my fellow Dream Team members working in the NBA’s broadcast booths!

I would like to thank Cisco for making this opportunity available to the Cisco Networking Academy Dream Team students. I also want thank Mr. Paul Del Giudice and the NBA’s IT team for opening their world to us. It was so inspiring to be a part of it all.

The skills I learned, the people I met, and the hands-on experience I gained have inspired me more than ever to pursue a career in the networking field.

Good luck to the players, the NBA’s IT team, and the rest of the Dream Team members during NBA All-Star 2015! I will be watching and remembering the exciting time I had as part of this extraordinary experience!

Be sure to watch the NBA All-Star Game on TNT this Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET!

Read Andrew’s blog from Day 6 at NBA All-Star 2015.