Candidate Information:
This article covers my interview experience for the Cisco Women Internship Program (CWIP) – Summer Internship 2025 drive for 2nd-year students. I will share the detailed process, timeline, and my personal experience. Hopefully, it helps future applicants!
Verdict: Selected
Application Process
Applied: On-Campus (College Placement Cell)
Overview of Interview Process:
Online Assessment
Date: 10th February 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (90 minutes)
Format: 2 Sections
1. MCQ Section (45 Questions)
Covered topics:
Computer Networks, OOPs, Operating Systems, DBMS, Aptitude, Computer Fundamentals
- I personally found this section easy.
2. DSA Section (2 Questions)
One Linked List-based question
One Sorting-based question
Both were straightforward, and I was able to solve them completely with all test cases passing.
Since I cleared the OA, I was shortlisted for the interviews.
Round 1: Technical Round
Date: 19th February 2025
Duration: 1 hr – 1 hr 15 mins
Discussion Points:
Questions from my resume: Projects, contributions, tech stack, databases used.
Coding Questions:
- Swap two numbers without using a third variable (easy).
- Subset Sum Problem – variation required to return the count of subsets as well.
I explained the base logic and extended it for variations.
Puzzles:
One was Burning Candles Puzzle (https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/gfg-academy/puzzle-the-burning-candles/)
Couldn’t solve the second puzzle completely, but I explained my thought process.
Round 2 : Managerial round
Date: 20th February 2025
Duration: 45 mins (scheduled at 3:15 PM)
Discussion Points:
SQL queries (DBMS)
TCP/IP vs OSI Reference Model, Application level protocols, topologies.
Core Java concepts
OOPs pillars (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction)
Puzzles:
3 Bulbs and 3 Switches Puzzle (https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/aptitude/puzzle-7-3-bulbs-and-3-switches/)
– I explained my approach, interviewer guided me as well.
DSA Questions:
Detect a loop in a linked list - asked to explain the approach
Sudoku solver (discussion on approach)
HR & Scenario-based Questions:
based were based on Teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, adaptability.
Teamwork: I shared an example of working in a group project and how we managed tasks together.
Conflict Resolution: I explained how I would deal with differences in opinion within a team.
Leadership: Talked about times when I took initiative and guided my peers to complete a task.
Adaptability: Gave an example of adjusting to unexpected situations and finding alternatives.
Round 3: ETR Connect Round (Emerging Talent Recruiting)
Date: 20th February 2025
Duration: 10–15 mins
Discussion Points:
Brief self-introduction
Stipend details & internship location
Future plans (e.g., “Are you planning for higher studies?”)
Asked if I had any questions for them
Since this was an on-campus drive, Cisco conveyed the final selection to the placement cell.
Final Verdict : Selected for Cisco Women Internship Program 2025
This was a wonderful learning experience, and I hope this article helps future applicants prepare better. Best of luck!