I've Built My Career at Unboxed
Pros
I have been at Unboxed since the early days, and experienced tremendous career growth here. My managers have invested deeply in nurturing my skill development. I've been able to take on leadership positions with a high degree of autonomy, yet supported by managers who back me up with mentoring and resourcing support. Twice in my tenure I expressed a desire to try my hand at different role in the organization, and I was empowered to do so on both occasions. Both of these role changes complicated the life of my manager, but he gave me the freedom to pursue both, and he took on extra work himself in order to allow me to do so. Unboxed is an agency with a reputation for innovation, and a portfolio of major clients. We work at the cutting edge of technology, on high-impact projects. Whether you're working on a sales enablement app or a learning management system, your work will be seen and used by thousands of people around the country. Your users are the customers and employees of Fortune 500 companies you've heard of and interact with regularly. It's an amazing feeling to walk into a retail store in Times Square, see customers and employees interacting with a touch-screen kiosk app, and know that you built that app. There aren't many places you can get that experience in Richmond, VA. I'm only half-joking when i say that a year at Unboxed is worth 3 years somewhere else in terms of the experience and exposure you'll gain. I suspect other employers agree, because I am contacted regularly by recruiters and headhunters. The culture here is results-oriented, as opposed to a "butt in the seat" mentality. If you've got a lot to do and you know you'll be more productive working from home, then do it. If you want to work on the break room couch, listening to music and sipping on free drinks from the communal fridge, then do it. If you want to join coworkers for an extended Friday lunch, then do it. I've never had the feeling that anyone is watching over my shoulder in terms of how I'm getting my work done. Instead, I know that I am measured and managed based on results. This is liberating. I have received regular performance-based raises here, and I've had many opportunities for promotion and career advancement. I know that our senior leadership truly cares about me, my career, and my happiness. That is a special thing which I don't take for granted.
Cons
I've come to believe that Unboxed is not for everyone. As an agency working on high-profile projects, we have a deadline-driven environment. If you get overwhelmed by the inherent stress of this environment, then Unboxed is not for you. As a company built on individual autonomy, there is a minimum of structure and process. If you are uncomfortable creating your own processes as you go, then Unboxed is not for you. You will receive feedback here, and it can be blunt and direct. You will most likely get your feelings hurt sooner or later. If you can't A) address it directly with the person, or B) let it roll off your back and move on, then Unboxed is not for you.
