Pros
- Great exposure to different contamination issues and sites - Range of different sized clients to connect with - Diverse and experienced staff to draw on and support you however onus on the individual to reach out to them and establish connections - Exposure to different fieldwork techniques - Autonomous working environment which can work for the motivated self-starter with a good work ethic - Individual department training budgets available to pursue professional development that is rarely taken up - Very knowledgeable senior staff members who have significant experience in the industry
Cons
- Company is based on an employee owned model which offers shares in the company to staff with 6-8+ years of experience (at DP) (if senior staff are pleased with your performance) with all executive level leadership/board level decisions geared toward maximizing share dividends for share holders at expense of all other aspects of the practice - Little clarity on the overall direction of the company (past maximizing profits for the benefit of share owners) which furthers the disparity between those that 'have and have nots' in terms of share ownership - Company is very much run with an 'old school mindset' by a group of older generation white males whos' strategy reflects this mindset - Salaries are stagnated and noncompetitive at the middle - senior level due to the idea that it is 'made up' by share dividend pay outs (assuming the individual has chosen to invest in this option) - Direct managers have no formal leadership/managerial training and are a technical engineer first and manager second - There is often a standing expectation to 'put in all the hours that are required' without additional compensation. You would often find yourself working long, hard days in the field without any overtime or time in lieu being approved.