Pros
Four things stand out as real positives as an employee for US Bank: 1) DIVERSITY I used to work for US Bank when it was a Firstar back in the 90's and was impressed then with the diversity of candidates. I went on to work for other employers, large and small, and not one of them--even the global company I had worked for---seemed to be a match in terms diversity. I have worked for companies where entire departments felt as though they were made up of all sisters or brothers from the same sorority/fraternity; US Bank seems to have bridged the socio-economic and race gap. 2) PROFESSIONALISM/LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. I don't know if it s due to the customer service training or the first full day of orientation one receives at US Bank, but I have always been pleased (with minor exception) with the level of professionalism and customer service I feel I receive from US Bank employees. Thirteen years ago I began my career with US Bank in a customer service position and have used the training I received then as the gold standard to which I continually and effortlessly I compare the level of customer service I receive from other establishments as an external customer. I feel I was taught 'the right way first' with US Bank and for that I am thankful. 3) PROMOTION FROM WITHIN. As someone who had advanced to three different positions in relatively the same number of years, I usually had the immediate backing from my immediate manager. I felt that as long as I performed my job to the best of my ability and showed my manager that I could go the extra mile, I would have their support when I tried advancing to a different position in the company. I recall that some of my managers in particular didn't always want me to leave their department, but they never allowed this sentiment to get in my way of moving on to a different department. I always felt as though US Bank provided a very supportive environment. 4) OPPORTUNITY/EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF WORK. US Bank always has something going on where you can give back to the community or do something solely for yourself without having to incur additional out-of pocket expenses. I was able to take many classes (the kind where you needed a B or better or else you would have to pay back the company) that not only gave me a better understanding of operations within my company, but classes that satisfied personal interests as well. 'Employment Law' was a class I took through US Bank that certainly didn't feed directly into my particular career path (then or even now), but it certainly added to my depth and knowledge as an employee of the modern workforce in general. Little did I realize then what importance these classes and community outreach events had with regard to my networking skills.
Cons
One of the best things about working at US Bank is also one of the worst things about working at US Bank: It is such a large company that there are very few consistent opportunities (in my immediate location) to get to know other departments. Instead of feeling like one large cohesive family, I feel that individual departments are somewhat siloed. I do NOT feel we all share the same core vision. I feel that members of senior leadership do make their rounds, but the occurrences are too few and far between in order for any real exchange of ideas or concerns to resemble a true conversation. I also feel that middle management, from what I have seen, seem to be imtimidated by their superiors...I just wish that we could all show respect for people in higher positions without appearing frightened: it does nothing for employee empowerment.
