From Jizzakh to Cisco: How Sarvinaz Bultakova Built Her Career at an International IT Company

Sarvinoz Bultakova, City — Jizzakh, Consulting Engineer, Cisco, LinkedIn

About Me

I was born and raised in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan. Since childhood, I dreamed of studying abroad and had a deep interest in technology—I was always curious about how the internet works and how applications are created.

My education began at A.S. Pushkin School No. 1 in Jizzakh, after which I graduated from a local college. At the age of 19, I enrolled in the Changzhou Institute of Mechatronic Technology in China, where I studied engineering. I dedicated my first year to learning Chinese through an English-language program and obtained an HSK 4 certificate. Even before traveling to China, I scored 7.0 on the IELTS, which allowed me to study confidently abroad.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I had to return to Uzbekistan, but six months later, I applied to Poland to continue my studies. I chose Vincent Pol University not only for its high-quality education but also because Poland is considered one of the safest countries in the EU and is economically advantageous for studying. All courses were conducted in English, and I successfully completed my degree in Business Management.

While studying in Poland, I also discovered additional networking engineering courses, which rekindled my interest in IT. It was then that I truly understood how the internet works and realized that technology was not just an interest but a field I wanted to dedicate my career to.

About My Professional Path

During my studies, I began gaining practical work experience. First, I worked part-time at McDonald’s, where I learned to work in a team, communicate effectively with people, and manage my time. This experience gave me my first skills in professional discipline and an understanding of the importance of customer interaction.

Alongside this, I worked as a freelance field engineer, applying engineering knowledge to real-world projects. This role helped me develop technical and analytical skills, taught me to solve practical problems, and strengthened my confidence in the fields of IT and engineering.

After graduating, I was offered a one-year internship at Cisco, which became a significant milestone in my career. During the internship, I gained practical experience in IT and networking technologies and successfully obtained the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification.

Upon completing the internship, I was offered a permanent contract, and since then, I have continued to develop my skills, including studying for the CCNP-SP Core (Cisco Certified Network Professional — Service Provider Core) certification. This process helps me grow within the company and deepen my professional knowledge. In today’s world, technology evolves rapidly, and to be a competent specialist, one must constantly learn. Working at Cisco is like an ocean—there are infinite knowledge and opportunities, and learning never ends.

Currently, I work at Cisco as a Consulting Engineer. My responsibilities include designing solutions and infrastructure for clients, providing technical services, and assisting in selecting and implementing the best technologies to support the growth of our clients’ businesses.

To join Cisco, I had to go through a complex five-step interview process: a technical assessment, a communication skills test, a presentation, an HR interview, and final approval. Each stage tested different abilities—from technical knowledge to professional communication and presentation skills. Only through constant self-improvement and a drive for development did I successfully navigate this path.

Working at Cisco opens up numerous opportunities: I participate in international projects, travel to many EU countries, exchange experiences with colleagues from around the world, and build a long-term career in technology. Post-pandemic, working conditions have become more flexible: I typically work two to three days a week remotely, which saves time on commuting and creates comfortable conditions while maintaining interaction with the team.

About Working Abroad

There is no competition within my team. Being part of a global company like Cisco means less internal competition and more focus on learning and development. The more knowledge and skills you acquire, the more opportunities open up. At Cisco, technology is constantly evolving—and with it, there is always a chance to grow.

The work atmosphere is friendly, and every contribution is valued—even small achievements are recognized by both the team and management. We work in a global team. If you deliver results, there are no problems.

In international companies like Cisco, transparency, flexibility, teamwork, and respect for personal time are highly valued.

In contrast, in local companies, a language barrier can be a challenge. For example, in Poland, many job vacancies require fluent Polish, which complicates communication.

Salaries in international companies depend on experience, existing skills, and the country of residence. Since I live in Poland, my income is regulated by Polish laws, but generally, international companies offer competitive salaries and additional benefits such as medical insurance, a Multisport card, and an annual progressive bonus. On average, an engineer in an international company earns about $62,000 per year.

Overall, I enjoy living and working in Poland. My work schedule is from 09:00 to 17:00, and after work, I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I often meet with friends—we discuss new knowledge, practice languages, and share experiences. In my daily life, I try to find time for sports: fitness, yoga, swimming, and pilates. I train four times a week, usually between 07:00 and 08:00 in the morning.

Cisco also provides 10 days per year for charity. This is a time when we can choose a date and location where we can do something good. During “Time to Give” (T2G), we usually receive emails with news about various events we can participate in. On T2G days, we gather in the morning, usually around 07:00–08:00, to perform acts of kindness. This might include cleaning up gardens, walking with elderly people, or packing and delivering food to those in need. In fact, there are many activities, and everyone can choose what resonates with them.

About Development in Uzbekistan

Today, strong companies and interesting projects are also emerging in Uzbekistan. It is possible to develop locally and work remotely for international companies.

Many young IT specialists today already find stable employment in Uzbekistan. The state provides equal opportunities and actively supports the development of the IT sector.

In recent years, Uzbekistan’s IT industry has grown significantly. We now have more startups, technology parks, schools, and accelerators. Young specialists have become more active in mastering new technologies and learning foreign languages.

Uzbekistan is one of the fastest-developing countries in the region. To grow professionally, it is not necessary to move abroad. The main things you need are:
— a clear goal
— strong motivation
— continuous development of professional skills.

About Future Plans

I want to continue working at Cisco and become one of the best engineers in my field. My ultimate goal is to become a Distinguished Engineer—the highest level an engineer can achieve. This is what I am striving for, and I am fully dedicated to continuous learning, development, and expanding my professional knowledge to reach this level.

In the future, I plan to create my own IT project in Uzbekistan to help develop the local industry. I dream of creating a multinational technology company that will develop, produce, and sell networking and telecommunications equipment, as well as high-tech IT solutions. My company will focus on corporate networks, security, cloud solutions, network infrastructure, and network management software. I want to help organizations and people around the world connect devices, data, and people, ensuring reliable and secure network and communication operations.

Advice for Young IT Specialists

Young IT specialists should improve their foreign language skills, develop professional and communication skills, build a strong portfolio, participate in open-source projects, and actively engage with the global IT community.

Today, it is not necessary to move abroad to work for international companies—you can do so directly from Uzbekistan.