Pros
If you're considering an assistant position at CAA, I'll make this easy for you. This job is for someone who: -Is absolutely certain they want a career in entertainment/want to be an agent. It's way to stressful if you're not even sure it's your passion. -Absolutely LOVE to network/mingle/go to lunches with people. People who want to focus on their work and aren't interested in networking will not be successful here. -Doesn't take things personally. You should be able to deal with your boss'/other execs' insane mood swings and ego trips without hesitation. -Has never had another real job. This is very much an entry-level position in the sense that it teaches you what NOT to look for in the future. If you can survive CAA, you can go anywhere. -Is willing to put in at least a year on someone's desk (they do not encourage you to interview for another desk unless you've put in that amount of time). And if you're absolutely certain you want to be an agent in your department, you must be willing to be an assistant for as long as it takes. Some people enter the training program after 4 years on a desk, some after 2, and some after 1, but there's no real way of telling. Again, you must have tunnel vision if you expect to be successful. -Is willing to put up with the high school environment/cliques/fratty behavior in exchange for cool events, meeting famous people, and rubbing elbows with very talented folks (this is definitely a plus).
Cons
DO NOT take this job if you: -Expect to be treated like a human being. Taking time off is not encouraged, and if you must miss work you have to arrange for a floater to cover your desk, which comes with added stress. -Are looking for something that involves more than admin skills. 80-90% of your job will be scheduling meetings, coffees and calls. It's very rare to be involved in high-level thinking of any kind. -Are not certain that you like your potential agent. You will be chained to them 10 hours a day, 5 days a week (and on the weekends too if you have a crazy one). Your experience at CAA depends greatly on whether or not you have a good boss, so choose wisely. -Have ever been paid more than $13/hr. -Have trouble drinking the Kool-Aid. A lot of people are unhappy there but refuse to complain about anything because saying anything but great things about CAA is seriously frowned upon. They silently put up with A LOT just to have the CAA name on their resume, which means nothing will ever really change for the better.