Show Notes
In continuing our series “Women in Tech” in honor of International Women’s Month, Learning and Certifications Marketing Specialist Stef Garraffa spoke with Network Engineer Riikka Sihvonen to discuss career development in the networking field. Together, the two discuss Riikka’s career journey, and the role that professional networking plays in career growth. Riikka holds numerous professional and specialist certifications and has well over 12 years of experience in design, implementation, and support.
More from The Cisco Learning Network
In this episode of the Cisco Learning Network Podcast, Tanner Swift is joined by CCIE Collaboration Exam Product Manager Kashif Zeeshan, along with Ade Kehinde-Idowu and Charanjeet Singh, also known as CJ, for a focused discussion on preparing for the CCIE Collaboration lab exam.
In part two of this Cisco Learning Network Podcast conversation on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the future of work, Beth Oommen, Leader of Cisco Networking Academy Global Marketing, speaks with Matt Berndt, Head of Indeed’s Job Search Academy.
In part one of this two-part conversation, Cisco Networking Academy Global Marketing Leader Beth Oommen speaks with Giuseppe Cinque, Principal Architect with Cisco Networking Academy, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity work and the skills learners need to prepare for the future. Giuseppe discusses Cisco’s work with the AI Workforce Consortium, how generative AI and agentic AI are being used in cybersecurity, and why AI is more likely to transform jobs than simply replace them. He also explains why early-career cybersecurity professionals should focus on building skills in data, coding, prompt engineering, AI literacy, critical thinking, and responsible AI practices. Whether you’re starting your cybersecurity education, preparing for your first technology role, or trying to understand how AI may change the future of work, this episode offers practical guidance on how to stay curious, keep learning, and build the skills needed to work alongside AI.
The CCNA is evolving to help learners build practical, job-ready networking skills for a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation, security, and cloud-managed architectures.
Major updates are coming to Cisco collaboration certifications in 2026, and learners preparing for CCNP Collaboration and CCIE Collaboration will want to pay close attention.