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Joni Blakeslee
Program Manager
Cisco Systems
Bellevue, WA
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I grew up in a very remote region of Alaska - the Aleutian Islands.
I had
no access to television and became a voracious reader, a lover of
math and
physical sciences. I was fortunate to have had three women high
school math
teachers whose encouragement and support is remembered to this day.
Their
collective belief in me made a real difference in my life, because
at that
time, I was very shy and unsure of myself. I obtained a degree in
Computer
Science Engineering from Washington State University. Experience
was
gained by participating in summer internships at IBM and US Department
of
Defense. I also worked as a computer programmer and teaching assistant
while
in college.
After graduating, I chose a career in sales over one in software
engineering. My first sales job at IBM provided valuable training
and
experience which then led to jobs at a software company and Cisco
Systems. I
have been at Cisco Systems over six years. I am currently in a "corporate
headquarters" position in which one of my job functions is
to assist account
managers and engineers with sales deals they are working to win.
Sales can
be an intoxicating career - challenging, rewarding and an opportunity
for
continued learning and growth. Every day is completely different
than the
one before.
I am an active member of IGNITE because I continue to be inspired
by the
girls I strive to reach and those I mentor, as well as my affiliation
with
the vibrant, talented, passionate women of IGNITE. I am honored
to be
associated with them. The girls we meet have a world of tremendous
opportunity open to them. A career in high-tech (sales or otherwise)
is just
one of many options I hope to influence each of them to explore.
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