Pros
I'll start by saying this job is not for everyone. The Columbus Program is rife with ambiguity and uncertainty; from the structure of a class to the title of your job, anything can change at any time. Depending on how you approach it, this can be as much of a plus as it can be a negative. For one thing, you can drive change here: the exposure to senior leadership is unprecedented and most of them are very receptive to your ideas. If you find your voice and use it well, you will be heard. Some more pros: 1) Education. There are a lot of very smart people here, and they're willing to help/teach you just about anything from machine learning to supply chain management. You just have to ask. 2) Travel. You get to travel, A LOT. Travel around and outside of India is fairly cheap and you will be able to take time off. 3) Entrepreneurial attitude. Self-learning is a lifestyle at Mu Sigma. The business model depends on you and your co-workers' ability to teach yourself just about anything. It has been in this environment that I've relearned how to learn quickly. This is both a cause and a result of 1) 4) Exposure to top decision makers. As a 20-something fresh out of college, you will be expected to stand in front of C-levels across industries and present your work.
Cons
1) Ambiguity and uncertainty. Everything is constantly changing, always. As stated above, this can be a pro or a con. 2) Compensation. Your salary upon returning to the United States is, well, not what it could be. You are in line with leadership if you see enough intrinsic value in the education opportunities here to make up for your low salary, if also belonging to a quiet minority. 3) Quality of life. Bangalore isn't the easiest place for a freshly graduated American college student to live. Traffic and the pollution it causes are suffocating, and Whitefield - the neighborhood the office is located - isn't known for its nightlife. That being said, refer to Pros 2)
