After obtaining his MBA, Chambers began his career in technology sales at IBM 1976–1983 when he was 27 years old. At 34 years old, in 1983, Chambers joined Wang Laboratories, later becoming Vice President of US Operations in 1987. During Chambers's time at the company, Wang's profits declined dramatically from $2 billion 1989 to a $700 million loss in 1990. Chambers left Wang in 1991 at age 42, joining Cisco in that year. Cisco had gone public on February 16, 1990.