There are several downsides to the program. Top of my list is the sheer amount of hours you devote towards GE. You have your normal role as expected, and you work 40+ hours a week. Like most other entry level career programs, you can expect to work 50+ or 60+ hours a week. In addition to that., you have to take the courses, which have recently become extremely time consuming. About 10+, 20+ hours a week. In the end, you spend every waking hour, breathing and living GE. Essentially the courses you study for as free training.
Your managers also vary every 6 months, and I will have to say that most I've found were mediocre at best. In my four rotations at GE, I have had one manager I truly thought was exceptional. The others were not, in my opinion and in GE's opinion (given the amount of time they've spent in their current positions) "promotion-worthy." The courses for the first year is also unnecessarily demanding.