Pros
I've been working for OptionMetrics for over a year now, and it has been great from the start.
- Very friendly and collaborative work environment. From immediate team members, to other teams and management, everyone speaks to one another daily about both work and non-work related topics, there is daily yoga that many people participate in and love, and overall good vibes all the time. We celebrate everyone's birthday with a cake (if the person doesn't like cake/can't eat it we get them what they want - we've had pizza, fruit bowls, all kinds of desserts, etc.), have monthly happy hours, and we almost always have pizza for our lunch and learns. The people you work with (both peers and superiors) can really make or break a company's culture, and I am more than happy to work with each individual at the company.
- If you love learning and being challenged, then this is the place for you. You get to learn more about the financial markets, namely stocks and stock options, since they are the basis of OptionMetrics' products. In addition, this is basically a fintech data firm with a highly technically aware CEO, so we are always on top of new innovative technologies. We also take quick initiative to implement these new technologies so long as they benefit the firm. Furthermore, there's always work to be done. It's a fast paced work environment and though there are repetitive tasks (as with every job), the majority of the work is interesting and intellectually stimulating. Our CEO requires that everyone in the firm take relevant online courses/attend seminars each year to enhance and expand our skillsets.
- Room for growth and movement within the firm. This is a small company (~ 40 employees) and so you have the ability to grow within your current team, and/or you can transition into a different department given that you have the necessary skillset and can make the argument for it. Management is open to people progressing and moving around within the company because they want you to be happy here and to continually expand your skillset and knowledge. This is most definitely a meritocratic firm, as hard work is always recognized and pays off.
- Job security - stable job, as the company has been in existence for over 20 years with an abundance of existing clients, obtains a good amount of new clients every year, and has been profitable pretty much since inception with growing revenue year over year. Unless you actively try to lose your job, you most likely will not be laid off here.
- Unlike large organizations, where you are a small fish in a large ocean, here you are a big fish in a small pond. Your opinion matters, you can voice your concerns, give suggestions on how things can be done better and/or more efficiently, and have an input on the direction of a project(s).
From the first day that I started working for this company, I have always come into work excited and happy to be there because of both the people I work with and the work that I get to do.
Cons
- Too many snacks to choose from lol. There's such an abundance of snacks that it regularly leads me to paralysis by analysis.
- Our building is at the heart of Columbus Circle, so there's a lot of construction both nearby and within the building that can get annoying, but headphones and loud music solve that problem easily.
