Pros
great salary and benefits and absolutely fantastic work-life balance. work 80 hours every two weeks with every other Friday off (called 9-80 schedule). salary boost of ~5% every 6 months. some travel for training. there are some really good people in the younger crowd, but the general apathy pulls them down (see below). outside of downstream, people are international and tolerant. worked with people from different countries with different religions and cultures.
Cons
people really don't care, and they get away with not caring. it's all about maintaining a facade of professionalism when in fact you're taking 2-hour lunches, leaving work early, and relying on the consensus-driven culture to shrug off any blame when deadlines aren't met. promotions are seniority-based, not merit-based, so you have to wait a while if you want to have influence. Americans don't get to work internationally. the jet-setter lifestyles are more reserved for the Europeans.
