There’s a Place for You at Ciena

November 2, 2021 marked my first year at Ciena.?

In the past year, I survived a global pandemic, the loss of a beloved pet, starting a new job, adopting a new dog, planning a wedding, multiple relocations, typhoons, and a hit to my mental health.

With all of this, I can still say that my first year was marked by growth—both personal and professional.

A Culture of Compassion

My puppy, Pompeii, was in critical condition the morning of an important strategy call. I was hesitant to reschedule because I didn’t want to seem 'unprofessional'.

I was repeatedly told that Ciena's culture is great, so I took it as an opportunity to try and ask to reschedule the meeting. To my relief, my manager, Szen, just replied with, “Of course. Let me know if you need any more time.”

Pompeii didn’t make it, but I’m grateful I was able to be with him in his last moments without worrying about work.

You Don’t Go With the Flow, You Decide It

Looking back, I realized that I never had to ask for permission to go to the doctor’s or run some errands. No one ever asked why I needed a morning off or why I had to clock out earlier than usual. I only needed to get the work done. And however and wherever it was accomplished didn’t matter.?

But with great flexibility comes great discipline. It was a challenge getting used to working with so much freedom. Eventually, I adapted and learned to organize my schedule, allowing specific days for calls and focused work.

The true mark of success here is based on your output and not the hours you clocked in—regardless of what time zone you're in.

Above and Beyond Benefits

Typhoon Ulysses struck in my second month at Ciena. Our house was submerged, and we faced thousands worth of property damage. My entire team, from my coworkers to the Vice President of our organization, were so supportive. I even received substantial financial support from a Ciena partner to help me recover and rebuild!

Unfortunately, with everything I had to endure the past year, my mental health took a hit.?

I told my manager that I couldn’t focus and didn’t feel like myself. Putting a stop to my instinct to bury my worries with work, our catch ups turned into a friendly chat. He made sure I was ok. He also sent me an email detailing our employee assistance program and I was able to schedule my first ever counseling session.

I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

Now, a counselor provided by and paid for by Ciena is helping me adjust to my work and medication. I can go on and on about how much this has impacted my life, but no words can express how grateful I am for the immense support I received.

Growing at Ciena

I had to unlearn and learn all that I knew when I joined Ciena–think Psychology degree holder with a recruitment and marketing background from the oil and gas industry diving into telecommunications–but I was given the time and tools to adapt and learn.

I received plenty of training opportunities here at Ciena. From quick 10-minute sessions to one-on-one buddy sessions, to standard courses, I was equipped with all the knowledge necessary to do my job. It wasn’t easy, but it was exciting!

If I could sum up everything I've learned so far, you don’t need the 'right' educational or work background, only the 'right' attitude with a company that allows you to work your way.

There’s still so much to learn and experience here, and I look forward to my next years at Ciena.