My First Year as an Associate Systems Engineer at Palo Alto Networks

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Aliya, Inside Domain Consultant

Life at Palo Alto Networks

North America | Blog | Early Talent

Monday, November 17, 2025

My First Year as an Associate Systems Engineer at Palo Alto Networks

A conversation with a rising star from the Systems Engineering Academy on accelerated growth, real-world impact, and the power of an AI-enabled culture.

Q: How did the Palo Alto Networks LEAP program kickstart your career?

A: "I joined Palo Alto Networks as an associate systems engineer, a year out of college where I studied Computer Science, and I've significantly refined not only my technical skills, but customer-facing skills as well. In just one year, I led sales initiatives for service providers, ran the demo booths at major conferences, and worked in the Blackhat NOC. Within the NOC, I helped configure and leverage our Next Generation Firewall and XSIAM products, alongside other vendors' solutions, to ensure the event’s network was reliable and secure. I've developed the ability to think innovatively, tackling non-typical customer challenges and quickly identifying solutions. The LEAP program has been instrumental in my professional development, providing these opportunities and enabling me to make an impact through mentorship. I now mentor new graduates entering the systems engineering academy, sharing the lessons I’ve learned and advice from my own mentors, and fostering their growth and enthusiasm."

Q: How has the company encouraged and supported your development of new skills – especially around AI?

A: "Palo Alto Networks has strongly encouraged AI adoption by equipping us all with AI tools we can use everyday. I have been able to leverage AI in my work, building GEMs to streamline repetitive tasks (such as responding to emails), finding answers and resources quickly, creating podcasts through NotebookLM to understand deeply technical and specific concepts. This has improved my productivity and helped me understand how customers themselves may also build and use these tools, which is essential in understanding where security gaps in AI may lie."

Q: Can you describe a time when you were encouraged to push the limits of your role?

A: "I have learned more in the past year than I could have expected. I am impressed with how I have been able to quickly adapt to change in a way I have never done. I am even more impressed with how far I have come in my confidence when talking to customers. One of the ways I was able to make an impact with a client was by becoming friends with an employee I randomly met on an airplane. By the end, they offered to give me a tour of their building which subsequently led me to their internal team, which allowed me to start conversations about AI Access and Prisma Access Browser. This approach is not always the most normal, but it led to something that was impactful for my sales team and showed me that there is never only one way to approach something."

Q: What are you most excited about, looking ahead?

A: "What LEAP did for me, the foundation it allowed me to build, were the relationships I created. I met many brilliant and talented people who were invested in building the next generation. They are the reason I am in my role today. Within the academy, I have had the opportunity to work with many exceptional mentors who have helped me improve professionally. What is most exciting is that I get to keep working with them every day. When I am working with customers, I can reach out to all these amazing people who are always willing to help. That’s what makes this company such a great place to work. I can’t recommend LEAP and the systems engineering academy enough."

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