Pros
Due to it's heavy and consistent work load, Universal has a way of quickly submerging employees in the business. Learning the ins-and-outs fast is necessary and is a great perk as it is a great resume and experience booster. In my first year I felt like I had learned an immense amount about the industry and was ready to flex those skills. It is a great springboard company, prepping it's employees for future positions. Although the workload is heavy, Universal has a good recognition that it's employees have lives outside of the office. The benefits, vacation/holiday/PTO compensation, and general understanding of work/life balance are good at UMG.
Cons
The opportunities for growth and advancement within the company are slim. Promotions are predominately awarded based on tenure, so new positions that open are general low-level, because the spectrum all shifts upward with a promotion. When the concern of poor growth and advancement opportunities is raised to the powers-that-be, they attempt to solve "growth" and "advancement" by offering "development courses" and "seminars". In reality most employees stress their concerns because they are looking for raises (financial *growth*), promotions (career *growth*), appraisals (performance *growth*), and advancement within the company, not skills growth or webinar sessions. Universal generally pays at-or-beneath the industry average in most positions. Additionally, if you work in administration/finances and apropos your position to an equivalent role in a non-music-industry company, you'll likely make at least 15% more.