Pros
Regular Paycheck - You will get paid, twice a month. Locations - There are a LOT of locations out there if you're in a field that affords you the opportunity to work within one. If you're "specialized"...not so much. Remote Opportunity - Along with a lot of locations, some roles offer remote opportunities...again, if you're specialized. People - People make or break this company. Some centers/units have great folks you will get to work with; others, not so much. Benefits - You still have the option to sign up for benefits. Costly, but they offer them.
Cons
Corporate Mentality - It's all about the top tier making their money. Doesn't matter how hard YOU work...THEY will get the bonuses, raises, and promotions long before you're even noticed. It's all about WHO you know...not WHAT. No Bonuses - Ever. Don't even think about it. Stop...right now. No. Legal implemented a bonus program a while back that ensured no matter how well you and your center performed, you would never see a dime. Why? They wrote into it that "corporate" had to make money and let's face it...corporate doesn't produce anything. Good old lawyers for you! People - Again, people make or break the company, and while there are some great folks to work with, there's a lot more "not great" folks there. Folks who will backstab you to get ahead; keep information to themselves for job security; higher-level folks who will treat you as their inferiors...and let you know about in their correspondence with you; people who will do less than anyone else on a team and still bring in that paycheck and make it seem that they're invaluable. Compensation - Joke. Really...start laughing when you see that paycheck. Most people in their positions - whatever position that may be - will make about 15-30% MORE going somewhere else. "Raises"? Don't exist. Their "merit increases" don't even come close to matching cost of living, so, it just adds to the joke. Performance Reviews are yet another joke as your managers will rate you highly...only to be down-scored by their bosses because...well, because they have no idea who you are, what you do, and want that money for themselves. It's all about the upper folks keeping their "upper-ness" at any costs...and those costs are passed on to the folks who actually do the work. Mobility/Promotions - Never going to happen unless you're an experienced brown-noser and can play that corporate game...and KNOW the right people. Otherwise, you're stuck where you're at until you wise up and move on...elsewhere. With the company for 15-20 years? Probably in the same spot or some business unit you started in. 1-3 years? If you know someone, well, you may just be a Director right out of college! It's just best to put your head down, do the bare minimum (because even if you exceed every expectation, you'll still only receive "meets expectations" on your Review...so **** that hard work), and get that check.