Pros
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I have been working at CPC Strategy for just about 3 months now. I was actively interviewing around San Diego for months, with dozens of digital marketing companies... admittedly being very picky when evaluating opportunities. I was immediately wooed by the interview process at CPC Strategy. During my interview process focus was placed upon future value, intrinsic motivation, natural ability, and capability to learn quickly. Although my previous experience was important, the emphasis was placed on the kind of employee I would grow to become. There is small test that screens for math and analytical skills which although it sounds intimidating but it is refreshing to know your future colleagues are bright and have natural abilities. CULTURE: At first glance CPC Strategy has all the things a young and hungry job seeker would think of as great cultural benefits: ping pong, Foosball, donuts, a stocked kitchen, team events, happy hours, and a relaxed dress code. I must admit that at first I thought CPC Strategy was cool because it had these things, but these are only the manifestations of an underlying strong positive culture. Merely having these things does not mean a company has a good culture. A lot of companies have these things but actually have a terrible culture, this is not the case with CPC Strategy. The culture here is AMAZING. “LEARN. CREATE. INSPIRE.” is not just a cheesy inspirational credo that gets tossed around the office at company-wide meetings and printed on t-shirts. Each employee actually lives and breathes these 3 ideals day in and day out. Management represents these as well and praises employees who live up to the credo. LEARNing is paramount here, I’ve never in my life (previous jobs, undergrad, or graduate school) learned as much real work experience as I have in my first 3 months here. Learning is accelerated and happens very fast! Every day is new, different and full of challenges that weren’t around the day before. Every month there are company-wide “Universities” and “lunch-n-learns” where topics are covered in depth and outside companies, like Spotify, come present about their business. Beyond learning, employees are driven to CREATE solutions, tools, and processes that make themselves, their colleagues, and their clients more effective and efficient at conducting business. And finally, people here are truly INSPIRED. Everyday I’m excited to come to work and inspired by the brilliant people around me. Inspired to do not only my job but provide value in other areas outside of my normal job description. Finally in my professional career I truly feel inspired to do well and I’m encouraged knowing that if I do, the appropriate rewards will follow. In my past job I was living under a rock, now I feel like I’m climbing a mountain…it’s so refreshing!
Cons
I feel like I have to write something here but truthfully even after the 3 month "honeymoon stage" is over, nothing has turned me off. I guess the con is that this isn't the best company for certain types of employees... ADVICE: This is a fantastic company. My future here has no end in sight. I’d recommend this company to anyone who is truly interested in learning and being challenged. If you want to learn how to do one job, do it well, and continue in your career doing the same thing this may not be the place for you. My clock is not watched, I don’t punch in or out, I work hard because I want to and because it’s rewarding. You must also be willing to embrace change. Online retail has been growing like crazy and will continue to up-heave the traditional brick & mortar model of consumer retail. The industry itself embodies this change, but at CPC Strategy the goal is to be the tip of the spear, pioneering, and being at the forefront of all of those changes. I am frequently learning new things that are irrelevant or replaced by the time I've mastered them. If you’re comfortable charging ahead into new things without a guide, process, or instruction manual you will thrive here! That's not to say that in doing so you aren't supported here at CPC. Even though we are often exploring and testing new ideas the companyculture and structure is designed to support you in doing so.
