Pros
- initially you learn a lot about the CRE industry - benefits are outstanding (good health benefits, commute reimbursement, food is provided for breakfast, 401k etc.) - building location is excellent - social work environment and an excellent holiday party - once you leave the office, your work is done. there is almost no overtime, and you will never get assigned work once you have left for the day
Cons
- learning ends after about 6 months - you are basically a telemarketer, told to dial, dial, dial - monotonous routine day after day - the only thing that changes is management's expectations, which change wildly and without notice (and affect your job security and bonus potential) - bonuses are marketed as a pro, but are non-existent - pay is decent right out of college, but you will feel underpaid, and extremely under-appreciated after the first 8 months - no career path is offered. the next logical promotion is to Research Manager which is a step back as far as CRE exposure, and is basically creating and editing spreadsheets to track employee performance - people are fired without warning, for things as silly as leaving voicemails for brokers that are too long - you are treated like a child by management, with no room for creativity or self-management - everything you do is monitored. when you leave the building, go to lunch, go to a different floor you need to scan your card to do so (this is tracked and has been used as a reason to fire employees). calls are recorded and monitored. internet usage is monitored - management is completely out of touch with the daily responsibilities of research associates and research managers. this results in unrealistic expectations While I could go on and on about the problems affecting the workplace, nothing will change as long as the company continues to turn record profits each year. There aren't any real competitors currently, and as long as the bottom-line looks good, things will continue as they are