Pros
Technology challenges, flexible work hours, self-management. The location is good for most home locations in and around Sacramento for the traffic factor. Technology challenges include ramping up to SOA, never ending customer needs an multiple platforms to serve them. Flexible work hours are a great asset to have - outside appointments and such are never a problem, work from home (tele-commute) is allowed for home appointments (deliveries, etc.). Self-management is good because an associate does not have someone breathing down their neck and is responsible for their own methodology and or priority of tasks, all good for a thinking analyst!
Cons
Outsourcing, low or no positive performance feedback, no defined promotion path. Outsourcing is a great thing for 1) The company getting the contract. 2) The executive financially benefiting from the bonus received for "saving the company overhead". However, outsourcing is a blow to the associates whom actually do the work the company sells. Outsourcing sends a message indicating, "cost of service is more important than quality or loyalty". Outsourcing also costs our families hardship and drops our sense of security in American life and what Corporate America really is. A pat on the back is more powerful than a $10 Starbucks card a month later to many. Simple one on one "thanks, good job!" goes a long way! Without a defined career path, or how to stay on it means the ambitious Jr associates must do everything possible in a trial by fire method to move up the ladder.