Pros
- There is lots to learn, work is not stale at all. In fact most of the time it can be very fulfilling since you can easily have direct impact on improvements and repairs. - Pay is good and hours are decent when the plant is running well. - Although the industry develops your skills for a very a specific practice, within that practice you have a very well defined career path in which promotions and cooperate ladder climbing is very clear and attainable. (If you do good work)
Cons
- Depending on the state of the plant and the location, hours can potentially be long. 12 hour days minimum for 3-5 weeks during annual shut downs. More often if the plant has multiple failures per year. - There is a weekly rotational on call system. So every couple weeks on your turn you sometimes you have to work nights and/or weekends. - Industry is very 'old school'. In terms of both technology and work environment.