Cisco

You get to work on a good software stack and with smart people.

Cisco encourages you to take up training on courses/technologies of your interest.

You can have a good learning curve.

The things you hear about the company are not the same inside. The culture is deteriorating, with poor work-life balance. You are even asked to work on weekends, and no comp offs are given if the decision doesn't come from upper management. There is too high work pressure, and no action is being taken to increase the resource pool to meet the demand. There are less rewards or appreciation, even when you put in extra effort. It is taken for granted that you are bound to work long hours. Due to the high demanding workload, managers fail to set goals or a proper road map for your career development. Most of your colleagues are busy, and it becomes difficult to approach them when you are stuck. The documentation is also poor, and there is literally no ramp-up strategy. When you join, you are sure to feel frustrated and probably start feeling you are in the wrong place.

Have a proper strategy when new project scoping is done; do not overcommit. Your team members need to have a personal life apart from work; give them that space.