Pros
Close to many trains. Experience, for better or for worse.
Cons
Do not buy into the appearance of a hip, creative environment. Think instead of the most obnoxious frat party you ever attended in college and high school’s biggest popularity contests – with the most insecure bullies back then now running the show. They literally tramp around the office with nerf guns, footballs, and oversized egos. You do not work with professionals here; you work with boys. <p> An elite, callous club exists at the upper management and senior designer levels. If you are not one of these cocky (usually male) sharks, watch out. At best, you may be relegated to rinse-and-repeat work. At worst, you are devalued and exploited, brushed aside and cut off, expected to take on twice as much workload over your job description—an inhumane string of exhausting, head-ache-inducing assignments. This was apparently the norm: people often left between 7pm-8pm after a start time at 9:30am or earlier. All while maintaining the below-average pay and little room for growth. <p> No infrastructure exists that would put this company on the level of a true professional creative agency. Not for pitches and proposals. Not for rush projects (everything’s thrown out the window if a favorite client calls last minute). Not when new staff need support. Not when coworkers flake on deadlines or clients. Resources are always, always limited (unless it's for the aforementioned favorite client). <p> In short, this Powerpoint company is a far cry from ever joining the big leagues no matter how much they “grow.” The fire/hire ratio here is often 1:1. <p> Management cares SELECTIVELY about employees. Those not in the elite club are hung out to dry, often hurried out of management’s offices if simple questions arise. With the exception of one senior project manager who is responsive, the top tiers need to be chased down and congratulated for being masters of the universe. <p> Lastly, beware of the surface-level enthusiasm. They look for the young and naïve, people who will put up with their irresponsibility and blame games. Like used-car salesmen, they will say anything to get you in the door. Anyone who sees through their BS deserves much, much better.<p>