Good professional experience and development, difficult to achieve work/life balance
Pros
Benefits are superb: great medical, chiropractic, onsite gyms and health programs, catered lunches (depending on group/job), discount coupons, free Duncan Donuts coffee and sodas. Dynamic, performance driven environment creates challenge and professional development. Learn and be involved with exciting and innovative new technologies. Worked with very intelligent, talented, and sociable people.
Cons
Although work/life balance is stressed company wide, many positions and groups require extensive hours with very volatile, stressful working conditions. Some positions require more and more responsibilities the longer you are there with very limited resources. If you take the time off, you will have to put in the time you missed to keep your head above water and face the wrath of not meeting your deadlines, which, in turn creates more stress. Some groups have no teamwork. You get siloed into a very complicated technical position so no one on your team can back you up or even knows exactly what you do. Conversely, you may not have a full understanding of your coworker's responsibilities. Everyone is too busy for crosstraining. Upper management does not approve headcount for department head's needs. Workplace stress is common. I have been in the workforce for 22 years and my position here was by far the most stressful job I have ever had. Again, this differs from department to department and will depend on the group and manager you are working for. Interpersonal conflicts and power struggles were commonplace. Management may be very talented technically and innovatively but not have soft skills required to be a good manager.
