Ever optimistic, but still not around the corner
Pros
Flexibility in how, when, and where you work is phenomenal for a company of this size. It's a two-edged sword, but having the option to take a WebEx from home, Starbucks, airports, the beach, or in the office ... permits a level of versatility -- and fully acceptable by colleagues and management -- that would be hard to repeat elsewhere. It's part of the culture. The flipside is that work more easily creeps into your personal space and follows you on vacation if you're not careful. Another consequence is that Cisco offices can feel like ghost towns. Cisco has an immensely successful and rich portfolio and is well-positioned for the future. But ... for the past few years, it has felt like Cisco is constantly trying to turn a corner ... and never quite making it.
Cons
The biggest con nowadays is that Cisco is trying vigorously to grow income faster than revenue. This translates to what seems like a never ending round of budget cuts and divestment. Workforce reductions are becoming more common than pay raises and the value proposition to working here is becoming harder to defend. Cisco has a severely bloated middle level of professionals. Upward mobility is limited and the path can be vague.