I was impacted during Q1 and it’s been good to see other people’s views on this forum.. I disagree with some comments but also affirmed by many others (it's not just me!). I wanted to share some thoughts if I may..
Before Cisco I was laid-off from another network company after 1 year (aged 23) and at that moment, I realized that for all the company fandango about being part of the 'corporate family,' I was in fact a commodity just like company real estate and office furniture. This was a positive realization at the time, and made my approach to work more reasoned and focused, in other words, stop worrying about the politics and bullsh*t, it’s a game and play to your strengths and most of all have some fun with kindred spirits. Change can happen and there’s nothing you can do about it. I’ve gained so much career experience at Cisco and I can’t, on reflection, be overly bitter about what’s happened. It’s a game and after 14+ years I’m out.
I understand why some here (my included) are angry about job cuts, but take it as an opportunity to do something extraordinary and explore your life, play a game you’re good at. Most of my friends that have been through redundancy (from any company) have never looked back. Somebody on here seemed worried that companies are not hiring ex-Cisco people. Well, if you define yourself only by your current employer then you are cutting yourself short ..this is a great moment to take a breathe and reflect on and envision what you are good at and how you want to spend an awful lot of the next X years. I'm filling the time with some social / community volunteering / beer drinking: it's a reminder that there is life outside Cisco!
You win some, you lose some… avoid bitterness (current and ex-employees!) and good luck!