Former Cisco COO had an illusion that TAC was low-tech hands-on guys thus they are low, while a junior software engineer who even don't have other skills but because they know a little bit software and programming, thus they are high.
Nothing could be more ridiculous than this idea. With the coming AI, it is so easy to replace those entry level software engineers, thus we can see the layoff rate for software engineers are above 20%.
But if you have really done your job in Cisco and know the theory and got enough hands-on experiences in networking. Then even AI won't be able to replace you! This is like God's will!
Good Cisco employees, you are blessed!