Need Masters in HR to have career options
Pros
The people for the most part are great. Great learning opportunities to develop yourself. Flexible work arrangements. 1/2 day Fridays in the summer for Summer Hours (just have to work and extra hour Mon - Th). Just changed their maternity/paternity leave to get 5 months paid for moms, and 2 months paid for dads. competitive vacation (3 weeks, plus 2 or 3 days personal holidays) you can use right away.
Cons
The pay is very average to low, so watch out for that. Its all about who you know and how much you network when it comes to promotions. being able to work from home and link your work email to personal phone has its drawbacks. You end up working 27/7 and driving your family nuts if you aren't careful and limit yourself. Things are flexible, but if you leave early, you better be on your laptop later that night. They say you work 37.5 hours per week, but everyone works way more than that. They did 3 large layoffs in 5 years, and keep continuing to slim down the headcount here and there, so people are in perpetual fear of another layoff. In addition people are doing the job of 2 or 3 people. They are trying to streamline and simplify work, but its just not happening to the degree it needs to be. Employees are way over worked, and managers have very high expectations. They are snobby about being "the best of the best" from ivy league colleges. If you don't have a degree from a fancy college then good luck getting on a "career path". You are either pigeon-holed into being in a "continuity" role where there is not a clear career path at all, and not very many options for you with promotions, other than lateral moves. It takes a ridiculous amount (I'm talking years) of networking and butt kissing and an act of God to be able to move into the "career path" roles. If you are in HR you must have a Masters Degree in order to be in any sort of Career Path role. In other areas of the company you need a bachelors degree from a fancy college. So if you are not a social butterfly, an butt kisser, or not interested in getting wrapped up in gossip and a ton of politics, this is not the place for you. I see many Sr. Managers or Directors picking favorites, leaving people out, and being clicky. If those managers don't like you, you'll know it. You can work your booty off and put in a ton of hours, but if you don't "drink the koolaid" you will not be included in their circle of favorites, and therefore will most likely not get the promotion or opportunities that people who perform less but are their favorites would get.
