Need genuine advice. Started here at the start of the fiscal year, I’m young and this is my first role post grad. I don’t make a ton, but can honestly say I’m terrified for earnings and worry about job security. Do I stick it out for a few years to get experience and hope im not cut? How likely is it that I’ll be cut?
30 replies (most recent on top)
@1v4 software chiropractor is losing his mind
are you going to call yourself M.D. too? What's next - software physiotherapist?
The phrase "software engineer" without licensing or certification is both legal in many jurisdictions including Alberta Canada and has been in common use in many parts of the world for many decades. Learn how language works. You're welcome to lobby your governments to change that where you live, but demanding the rest of the world blindly accept your lying about your imagination defining universal truth is absurd.
Since @1nb couldn't figure out the difference between "software development" and "software engineering," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development says of software development that The process is part of software engineering which also includes organizational management, project management, configuration management and other aspects.
@1v4 are you going to call yourself M.D. too? What's next - software physiotherapist?
well apparently it's illegal in Canada for companies or individuals to use the word engineer anywhere...
Wrong again (and again, and again, and ...) Due to a lawsuit in 2023 in Alberta Canada the court ruled the title “Software Engineer” and related titles are not practicing engineering as that term is properly interpreted. Alberta amended its laws in response to the court's decision. Search for "alberta 2023 ABKB 635" and "bill 7 engineering and geoscience professions amendment act 2023" for more information on the court case and the changes to the law.
@1r2 I know, hence the "Some countries have a different view of this, but that's how it is in the US."
@1qc well apparently it's illegal in Canada for companies or individuals to use the word engineer anywhere ( unless you are a P.Eng. ) Makes sense to be honest. Not sure if its a fine or what reporting usage consists of. There were issues in power generation with it and now nobody can use the word engineer without being credentialled. Agree with that tbh
@1nb In most states, calling yourself an engineer of any type is not against the law, nor does it expose people to any sort of liability, unless they are saying they are a Licensed Professional Engineer or a Licensed Architect. (Some countries have a different view of this, but that's how it is in the US.) I mean, do you really think companies would open themselves up to this sort of liability voluntarily?
@150 $5 bucks says you are over 44 yrs old and being phased out. Trying to stay relevant? Taking bootcamps? Bragging but people laugh at you on LinkedIn? Let me guess, you started as an email assistant and now are a something-something-non core function "manager"🤣. No wait, you can make a powerpoint like no other highschooler ever.
Tables are turning.
@1dg software DEVELOPER.
They aren't professional engineers.
They are not professional architects.
I hope the liability for fraudulently utilizing these titles comes swiftly and severely
I don’t know anyone who stays in the same job from University and continues with annual increases for their career.
If you work in software engineering (absolutely not limited to Cisco) you know people who aren't able to do more today than they could ten years ago regardless of how many job jumps they've made. What seems to be unique to Cisco is bringing in real talent and turning them into zombies that roam the halls for literally decades. They all have that distant stare and awkward smile while reciting the mantra "it was more difficult than anyone could have predicted!"
@195 But you don’t get a salary increase every year etc. If you are performing well then you get the deserved recognition along with promotion, technically or management. However, you eventually hit a plateau and move on. I don’t know anyone who stays in the same job from University and continues with annual increases for their career.
There is an awful lot of ageism in this thread!
This become a topic about once a year here. I ask and never receive an answer here every year to the question:
- If you are getting a salary increase every year for decades what are you doing that a younger far cheaper person could not do with no more than basic guidance?*
For far too many I've worked with over many decades at many companies the answer for most is "nothing." At some point many either move into management or simply change careers because it's ridiculous to pay 3X for the same or often less competent work.
There is an awful lot of ageism in this thread! Technology has always been elitist both from the people it attracts(especially socially inept young males) and from the leadership it promotes (a lack of empathy). Just look at Gates, Zuchenberger, Musk and Bezos. It’s no wonder you read these elitist threads and more worryingly from young people.
When I started my first tech job my father in law said, “What happens to when you get over 30?”! This was 1980! Hence it doesn’t seem like much has changed in tech🤣
FYI.. I worked in tech for 40+ years and stuff just changes. It will always be the same, you just have to keep learning and be flexible and move States, Country or whatever. Have fun
@e1 poster is spot on. If you’re terrified of earnings then your mental health is priceless. Run. Because it doesn’t get better and you will be on antidepressants before long.
@eh that's an "old" (lol) trend. They (35-55 yr olds) are being phased out and fast. At every tech company. This is common knowledge, so you know this right? Cue the new hire unlimited token coding 27 yr old in the news
are you a 56 yr old?
If so, which I doubt, wouldn't say yes will be relevant (at any tech company) in 6 months because that's not true.
If you are under 34 (and ethical) you are likely ok.
@e1 I've been here 17 months and gotten two raises. I think it just depends on your BU and org.
@ac why there are so many in leader positions in range 35 - 55?
It is only those who do politically kiss up to above and step on peers rise!
I came here postgrad also and now I'm here for 4+ years. Got a total of 2 raises. Turnover seems to be extremely low, maybe 5 people quit a year voluntarily and a lot more get hired. My best advice is that if career progression is your top priority, work here for max 2 years and job hop. You will sink in a comfortable spot here and become underpaid over time. Leadership is incompetent and you will get away with a LOT working here if you know how to wriggle your way around.
@ds "Much of what is done at Cisco is just plain wrong"
Soooo true!!
Asked and answered multiple times in multiple threads over the past few days. Whether you stay or go learning how to leverage prior knowledge will serve you well.
While not explicitly called out elsewhere, sitting in a chair for three years may look like "experience" on a resume but it's not useful experience. Much of what is done at Cisco is just plain wrong so your experience may make you worse than useless. Sadly the burden is on you to grow your skills and career and even at far better managed companies you have to do some of that on your own time.
Start by learning and growing at Cisco, where you have the freedom to use AI tools and leverage the company’s resources and platforms to foster your professional development—setting you up to pursue even greater opportunities in the future.
@OP - There's some good advice here. Your youth is an advantage, so my advice would be "don't worry about things you can't control." Do your best, learn, network, create relationships w/ your peers. All of that will pay off in the end one way or the other.
Be selfish - take all the training, raise your hand to take on special projects - this will increase your visibility and knowledge by leaps and bounds, but most importantly, spend below you means and save for a rainy day or when you get bored of Cisco... either way, keep investing in yourself
Are you under 30?
I'm guessing you are.
If so they will keep you or groom you (so-to-speak) you to move up.
This isn't joking, if you were like 40 I'd be worried.
It su-ks for a lot but tech likes young. They think aging out is at 35.
I was laid off in May during the last round of layoffs. I'd worked for Cisco for almost 5 years at the time, and they'd been doing layoffs every 6-9 months while I worked there.
Cisco's severance package is very nice. I received: 6 months pay (including the two-month delay between notification and actual termination), 6 months worth of COBRA insurance premium payments, 6 months service with career placement services (resume rewrites, job concierge, career coaching, upskilling).
I'd second what was said earlier: You can't control the economy, earnings, or the insanity of upper management. You can control how you're upskilling right now, how you're keeping your resume up-to-date and staying active in the job market (maybe apply to a couple of other companies a month?), and how you're building out your network with colleagues at other companies in your field.
Whatever you do, don't waste energy ruminating about getting laid off. If that comes to pass, then you will have a nice cushion to work with as you plot next steps. And if you're working on what you can control, then any unexpected transition won't feel like a hard reset.
Best of luck to you! And if it helps — I honestly feel more secure and at peace after getting laid off than I have in the last 5 years worrying about layoffs.
I wouldnt think ahead in any tech job 2 years. There is no such stability you can count on.
You can't control earnings. You can't control the economy. You can't control what stupid decisions will be made several levels up. There are no guarantees at Cisco or any other company for that matter.
You can take advantage of training, you can save money and invest wisely in case you need a cushion later, you can network with people who may move on and put in a good word for you at a future employer, and you can work on improving your skills to set you up for your next move.
@OP I would think you're safe, at least for a while. You were hired for some role they decided to invest in, even after the recent reorganization. You're probably cheap.