From Jizzakh to Cisco: how Sarvinoz Bultakova built a career in a global IT company

Sarvinoz Bultakova, originally from Jizzakh, has pursued her education across Uzbekistan, China, and Poland and is currently employed as a Consulting Engineer at the global technology firm Cisco. In a conversation with IT Park Uzbekistan and The Tech, she recounted her path into network engineering, her experiences in building a career within an international organization while staying aligned with her aspirations and heritage, as well as her perspectives on collaborating within a multicultural team, achieving work-life balance, and the future of IT in Uzbekistan.

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

I was born and raised in Jizzakh, Uzbekistan. From a young age, I aspired to study abroad and developed a strong interest in technology — I was always eager to understand how the internet functions and how applications are developed.

My educational journey began at School No. 1 named after A. S. Pushkin in Jizzakh, followed by my graduation from a local college. At 19, I enrolled at the Changzhou Institute of Mechatronic Technology in China, where I pursued engineering. I spent my first year learning the Chinese language through an English-taught program and earned the HSK 4 certificate (the official Chinese language proficiency exam, comparable to IELTS). Prior to my trip to China, I had already achieved an IELTS score of 7.0, which gave me the confidence to study abroad.

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, I returned to Uzbekistan. Six months later, I applied to further my education in Poland. I selected Vincent Pol University not only for its excellent academic reputation but also because Poland is known as one of the safest and most affordable countries in the European Union for international students. All courses were offered in English, and I successfully completed my studies with a degree in Business Management.

While studying in Poland, I also came across additional courses in network engineering, which rekindled my enthusiasm for IT. It was during this period that I gained a deeper understanding of how the internet works and recognized that technology was not just a hobby but a career path I wanted to pursue.

About my professional journey

As I was studying, I began to gain practical work experience. My first job was a part-time position at McDonald’s, where I learned how to work effectively in a team, communicate with others, and manage my time efficiently.

This experience allowed me to cultivate professional discipline and recognize the significance of customer engagement.

At the same time, I served as a freelance field engineer, utilizing my engineering expertise on practical projects. This role enabled me to enhance my technical and analytical abilities, tackle real-world challenges, and gain confidence in the IT and engineering sectors.

Following my graduation, I was presented with a one-year internship opportunity at Cisco, which marked a crucial turning point in my career. Throughout the internship, I acquired hands-on experience in IT and network technologies and successfully achieved the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification.

After finishing the internship, I was offered a permanent role. Since then, I have continued to expand my knowledge, including working towards the CCNP-SP Core (Cisco Certified Network Professional — Service Provider Core) certification. This journey has facilitated my growth within the organization and enhanced my technical skills. In today's fast-paced technological environment, where innovation is constantly advancing, ongoing education is vital for maintaining competence. Being part of Cisco feels akin to being surrounded by an ocean — brimming with endless knowledge and opportunities, where learning is a continuous process.

Currently, I serve as a Consulting Engineer at Cisco. My duties involve designing client infrastructure and solutions, delivering technical consultancy services, and guiding clients in selecting and implementing the best technologies for their business expansion.

Securing a position at Cisco necessitated navigating a demanding five-stage recruitment process, which encompassed a technical assessment, communication evaluation, presentation, HR interview, and final approval. Each phase evaluated different skills — ranging from technical knowledge to communication and presentation capabilities. My success was driven by relentless self-improvement and determination.

Working at Cisco presents a wealth of opportunities: I engage in international projects, travel extensively across EU countries, share knowledge with colleagues globally, and build a sustainable career in technology. Since the onset of the pandemic, the company has embraced more flexible working arrangements: I generally work remotely two to three days a week, which allows me to save commuting time while maintaining collaboration with my team.

Regarding working abroad

In my team, there is a strong sense of collaboration rather than competition.

Being part of a global organization like Cisco results in reduced internal competition and a heightened focus on learning and development. The more knowledge and skills you gain, the more opportunities become available to you. At Cisco, technologies are in a state of constant evolution, which brings forth new avenues for professional advancement.

The workplace culture is welcoming, and every contribution is appreciated—small successes are recognized by both peers and management. We function as a global team, and as long as you produce results, there are no concerns.

In international firms such as Cisco, the following attributes are highly esteemed:

Conversely, local companies may face challenges due to language barriers. For example, in Poland, many job openings necessitate proficiency in Polish, which can hinder effective communication.

Salaries in multinational companies are influenced by experience, skill set, and the country of residence. Since I reside in Poland, my earnings are subject to Polish regulations; however, international firms typically provide competitive salary packages along with additional perks such as health insurance, a Multisport card, and an annual performance-related bonus. On average, an engineer at an international company earns around USD 62,000 annually.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoy living and working in Poland. My work hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., after which I aim to uphold a healthy lifestyle. I frequently meet with friends to exchange knowledge, practice languages, and share experiences. I also allocate time for physical activities—fitness, yoga, swimming, and Pilates—training approximately four times a week, usually around 7–8 a.m.

Cisco also provides 10 paid days each year for charitable endeavors. This program, known as Time to Give (T2G), enables employees to choose dates and locations to engage in meaningful activities. During this time, we typically receive emails with details about various volunteer opportunities we can participate in. On T2G days, we gather early in the morning, around 7–8 a.m., to take part in community service projects such as gardening, helping the elderly, or packing and delivering food to those in need. There are numerous opportunities available, allowing everyone to select an initiative that resonates with them personally.

About development in Uzbekistan

Robust companies and innovative projects are currently emerging in Uzbekistan, providing professionals with opportunities for growth and remote work with international organizations.

Currently, numerous young IT professionals in Uzbekistan are establishing successful careers. The government is committed to providing equal opportunities and actively fostering the growth of the IT sector.

In recent years, there has been substantial growth in Uzbekistan’s IT industry. The number of startups, technology parks, educational institutions, and accelerators has risen significantly. Young experts are increasingly embracing new technologies and enhancing their foreign language skills.

Uzbekistan ranks among the fastest-growing nations in the region. For professional advancement, relocating abroad is no longer essential. The crucial factors for success include:

About future plans

I plan to advance my career at Cisco and aspire to become one of the leading engineers in my field. My ultimate objective is to attain the title of Distinguished Engineer — the highest honor achievable by an engineer. I am fully dedicated to this goal, committing myself to ongoing education, professional growth, and the enhancement of my technical skills.

In the future, I aim to launch my own IT project in Uzbekistan to contribute to the development of the national industry. My vision is to create a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells networking and telecommunications equipment, along with advanced IT solutions. The focus of the company will be on enterprise networks, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, network infrastructure, and network management software. I aspire to assist organizations and individuals globally in connecting devices, data, and people — ensuring secure and dependable network operations.

Advice for young IT professionals

Young IT specialists should prioritize improving their foreign language skills, enhancing their technical and communication abilities, building a robust portfolio, contributing to open-source projects, and actively participating in the global IT community.

Today, it is no longer necessary to move abroad to work for an international company — this can be accomplished directly from Uzbekistan.