Spent a decade and a half as blue badge, Cisco did indeed change much over that time, as did the world. I wouldn't say Cisco is a bad place at all, it's just way, way different than the early 2000s. It's not Cisco's fault it is the way it is; the rest of the IT world, now seeing it from the outside, is pretty much the same.
Their is no perfect place or situation. I think the biggest lessons I have learned about life, especially life after LR, are sort of about the following:
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Lower your overall expectations. Don't expect hard work, or time invested, to amount to much. If your toil results in money enough to save a little and then buy things you really need; great. Don't expect or rely on a big payout at the end of the rainbow.
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Things IT-ish work, especially new things starting out, because a group of people bond together and have decided to put genuine effort into making things work. If you are in that situation, follow where it takes you, and look out for the others on the team.
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If your team becomes successful within the environment of other teams; the leaders of the other less successful teams, if they aren't of the same philosophy of your leader, will make it their life's goal to survive in part by either trying to somehow dismantle your team success, or to someone legitimize a takeover of your team.
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People in general are 98% genetically apes, and as such will resort to survival, agression, or just plain spiteful behavior; when they ultimately have to. The 2% extra DNA that somehow makes us different collectively to reason, have feelings, and to be caring at times, doesn't mask that down deep people will only get along to a minimum level. Don't expect more money, success, or reward by relying on others. Rely on yourself and, if you have a family, try your best to treat them good. Apes share that part of life with us, so somehow that is a natural repeating theme.
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Put your time into working at Cisco, being mindful of similar thoughts as above, but when your time comes to move on, if it's not on your own choice; accept it, don't be too upset or have a chip on your shoulder, and move on to whatever the next load of crud life throws at you. If you truly aren't happy at Cisco, or with whatever you are doing; move on. The worst mistake you can make in all this is: if you have the choice to take a chance, and instead of taking it, decide to waste time reading these threads, then you deserve what you get...
Reposted from @PGNYh9z-1vlj for good advice. I hope she/he does not mind.