Opportunities, but not on a platter
Pros
Most of the areas I worked in had a good culture and working environment. There were a few flighty ladder scramblers, but most of the people were solid hard-working folks who made working there a pleasure. The pay and benefits were very good, which I belatedly realized I'd taken for granted! The products are high quality and provide many positive aspects, which employees can feel good about. For example, you might work with a product that helps diabetics better control their disease or an instrument used in labs seeking the cure for diabetes or devices that are fast and accurate, getting you health answers quickly.
Cons
It's tough when you work for a company's largest market (US) and are still managed from afar. This frustration is compounded when strategies, tools, and programs are developed in the company's much smaller and different home market to apply everywhere. These "gifts" are given to the rest of the world with little leeway in their use. If changes are approved, the cost and time of retrofitting the "gift" falls on the receiving markets. Although generally good, the prevailing culture, pace, and management style in the business areas vary widely. This is an issue when you move to another area, as you are encouraged to do, because you may go into an unexpectedly stressful environment. I once encouraged a friend to work at Roche. When they described the pressure, management style, and stressful atmosphere in their area I was shocked and embarrassed.
