Pros
Good health and PTO benefits, great teammates, decent working environment and equipment, paid professional licensing and a laid back dress code. The company sponsored conference is a great opportunity to network, learn and have some fun. The company fully funds the conference and employees who are invited to attend do so at company expense. It is a great advantage to working for NIC. Many opportunities for individuals to present great ideas, to travel to different portals and show what is being accomplished locally. Lots of chances to deal with decision making clients at high levels of city and state government. NIC encourages networking during working hours with clients and partnering directly with them to foster team work. NIC encourages employees to attend client functions such as technical council meetings and to join users groups to keep abreast of changes, NIC encourages employees to present at these functions and to take advantage of teaching and learning opportunities as often as work permits.
Cons
Salaries are much less than the going rate. Paid health benefits helps with that, but company employees are still undervalued and underpaid in all areas. Bonuses are small. Few professional training opportunities except online on one's own time and the paid education benefit has stringent requirements attached. Some members of leadership lack soft skill training and the company finds it difficult to retain employees in many areas. Promotion opportunities available only if one is willing to relocate. Poor work-life balance and that is obvious with the reactive rather than proactive management style that leads to hair on fire working conditions and constant unreasonable pressure. Lack of strategic thinking and long term goal setting leads to poor decisions and stifles business growth.
