Pros
Benefits are fantastic. PTO is 4-5+ weeks depending on tenure, good but not great 401(k). That sort of stuff. If you’re in the Merchandise Mart office that’s pretty nice too. I’ve also had opportunities to actually lead teams/develop software that impacts customers. Keyword “some” - this is about when the pros end. It’s experience that, as long as I don’t mention the brutally legacy technologies I’m stuck with at times, goes a long way.
Cons
Outdated technology, severely underpaid for my position (I am one of many) compared to the market rate. Middle management doesn’t seem to do much of anything. Projects are often started by directors, “senior managers” and such just to say they’ve started something, then axed halfway through the year because why not? Communication is tough; it can take days to get answers to simple questions because people just don’t answer emails or messages, and actively avoid answering in person. For a company that is advocating a shift to a “product mindset,” this does not bode well. Tons of “new initiatives” (heard of Arity?) that don’t seem to have a true vision/direction.