Cisco

Generally speaking, the work environment is very flexible, as long as you're producing quality work. The compensation was reasonable, but it varies widely based on what group you're in and what projects you're working on.

Newer projects obviously get priority when it comes to budget, as well as the workload.

As said in another review of Cisco that I read, it is very easy to slowly get sucked in and end up working 14-hour days. Generally speaking, you will be rewarded based on what you put into it. So, if you choose to put up boundaries and stick to a 40-hour week, you'll be comfy and cozy. If you choose to put in 60-80 hour weeks, you are likely to be elevated in the long term (provided you are not in a group that is approaching "sustaining-mode" where there is very little new development).

If you are lucky enough to get into the "in-crowd" and you are a hard worker that puts out quality product, you are set for life. Cisco has a very elite group of people that jump ship every few years, create a new start-up (i.e., ensime, nuovo, andiamo), work their tails off, get purchased by Cisco making tons of money, and repeat. But getting into that group is extremely difficult even if you are good at what you do. There is a bit of classism in the Cisco HW department.

I don't have any advice. Cisco is a giant machine that is fiercely loyal to its shareholders. It's no longer a place for good people to grow into great ones. It's just a place where a few great engineers hold reign over lots of good/average engineers. I was there for 8 years. I would do about 60% of it over again, but I wouldn't stick around as long. If you're standing still there, you're moving backwards.