Applied Materials reviews

There is little if any career path at AMAT. Many people have worked in the same role for several years because they are afraid to move into other areas of the company - which could expose them to a higher probability of being laid off. The high number of layoffs over the past several years have hurt worker's morale and the overall culture. Ten years ago, this was a very exciting a vibrant company to build a career with and there were many young people being recruited into the organization. Today, the company has changed, and it is not the exciting place that it once was. Career advancement and opportunities are not as prevalent within the organization as they once were making it hard to advance or build a career at this company.

Being a part of a fairly large corporation always has some downsides - lack of a personal touch and a sense that you are a "lone ranger." The company presupposes all employees will be self-sufficient. I've historically come from small companies - less than a 1,000 employees, most smaller than 50 - and it's amazing the differences. It takes getting used to, but no doubt it's that way at all companies of its size and larger so one can't really level that complaint at Applied specifically. Overall my chain of management is pretty solid. I hear talk from co-workers and they have pretty weak management--barely communicating with their subordinates, not creating much of a team atmosphere--but mine has been good so far.