Where to begin? First, you’ll be working for some of the most arrogant, judgmental, and plain incompetent people to work in a “professional” environment. They will constantly assign you to projects with little guidance and direction, yet expect you to become a subject expert when they know little to nothing about the topic themselves. You will be treated as dispensable and forced to navigate the minefield of egos that pervade the company while constantly being judged on your perceived intelligence. On top of all that, you’ll be looked at primarily as a secretary—expected to capture in verbatim notes every “brilliant” thought that pops into management’s head during the plethora of meetings throughout the day. Also, the pay is a joke, and aside from perhaps certain graduate schools or health care firms, there are very few organizations where people recognize, let alone admire, CFAR. Finally, focus on your development is non-existent unless you demand it, which is a glaring issue when the job is sold as a developmental position.
