Pros
I was treated as a full time employee and felt a sense of respect from those around me. The environment was very inclusive and I felt as if my role was making an impact in the day-to-day roles of the firm. I ended my six month cycle with many connections in my department and a greater understanding of the asset management industry.
Cons
Because the role was only 6 months, it was difficult to obtain more responsibilities. Further, many Co-Op responsibilities could easily be computerized and in turn are repetitive. Regarding pay, I was not compensated well enough to support myself with the cost of living in Boston. At the end of my cycle, I found out the 12-week interns coming in for the summer are paid on average $5 more an hour and attend seminars and meet-ups multiple times a week with upper management. Events were available for Co-Ops but not nearly at the same frequency and caliber as they were for interns. These short term employees appeared to be valued significantly more than any of the 40+ six month Co-Op positions.