Pros
The department I work in is welcoming with a number of very nice people. I've made some very good friends there. The grounds are immaculately kept and the animal science department has a meat market with good products. Many opportunities to expand your knowledge about almost anything and learn about people and cultures from around the world. There is a certain amount of flexibility depending on which department/position you work in. And I'm thankful to have a job in this low career potential geographical area.
Cons
I'm sure this is true across the country, but coming from corporate America, I was surprised at how stressful it is to work in academia. My role is one of gate keeper -- keeping the professors within the grant rules and the finances in order. I supervise several business office staff. When I first started working at Purdue in this role, I asked my supervisor if it was like a union shop. Everyone had the list of what they do, and that was all they would do unless specifically TOLD to do something additional. Training is poor. The mantra I have heard is you either sink or swim here, and you don't want to sink. So if you aren't the type of person who will go out on your own and dig for answers, you won't function well here. The additional hook on that one is that you may speak to five different people and get five different answers. (Did I mention training is poor?) I have also experienced a condescending attitude, not on the part of professors as much as on the part of a number of long time staff members. Plenty of people are lovely and willing to help. Many others are not. Business office protocol and process changes almost daily. Often without notice, often without regard to the people doing the real work and what their customers expect/demand. Benefits are just okay. The pay is not commiserate with work load in this particular role or comparable to similar positions in corporate America. Raises are minuscule to the point of being insulting.