Pros
- Lots of responsibility given to interns. Typically given their own project or two to work on over their time. If you need parts, you get parts. If you need testing, test away. You get full exposure to all the resources of the company, and are treated like just another employee. - Food on site is great and cheap (even if they have been raising the prices a bit). - Everyone is young. Groups will often take midweek breaks to play frisbee or sail in the evenings. - Good balance of casual and professional work environment. Show up with a clothes on, a willingness to work hard, and meet lots of people to get the job done, and you'll do great.
Cons
- Transitioning interns to hourly pay (I find) has added a strange dynamic to tracking hours and shortening breaks during the day so as to maximize your hours but not get home late. I'm less likely now to take a longer, relaxing lunch with my group. - Intern housing, while location is awesome, is expensive. - They don't offer parking on-site at Hawthorne for interns any more, so you have to take the shuttle, which restricts your flexibility.