Pros
I have worked for CO-OP for 14 years and the company has been going through tremendous change throughout my tenure. It’s been quite challenging and has required a “builders” mentality and skill. Coming from a background in consulting, I have personally enjoyed the work because of the cognitive intellectual challenge and the entrepreneurial problem solving required to help the organization shift to meet market needs. It has not been boring. This is a place where you can make your own luck and drive your own performance and success. I have grown and matured beyond my expectations because of the environment - the incredible opportunity and the equally incredible struggles have made this possible. I’ve seen those who have embraced both rise and that has been thrilling to see. The shifts the organization have made are required to help our clients. I’m personally passionate about our clients and want to see them succeed as much or more than the company. When we all put them first, we all succeed professionally and personally.
Cons
The workload is large and the continual evolution of the financial services industry makes the work challenging. Burn out is something to be mindful of and it’s something we are all working on solving for while maintaining the rapid pace of progress. Much of our friction as a workforce manifests through our ability to metabolize change. It’s a reality, but I know with heart, empathy and smart thinking we can continue to grow with grace.