Pros
You quickly become fluent in uncertainty and changes - not because the work is overly difficult, but because direction and mentorship are nonexistent. Endless opportunities to grow, particularly in patience, endurance, and the art of self-leadership when actual leadership is on an extended sabbatical (mentally). Horizontal business growth is here, but acquisitions are strategic on paper and experimental in practice. Your colleagues are excellent: smart, kind, and bonded by sense of “how did we all end up here”. The mission sounds inspiring, especially in presentations. Also looks great printed on greenwashed notebooks made from coffee cups (produced with no relation to First Mile's operations).
Cons
The prevailing leadership mantra appears to be something of "money first, people… negotiable. Environment? Who?”. Priorities rotate with impressive speed, sometimes faster than the moon cycle (which you notice staying overtime every night), often changing by the next meeting on Monday. Burnout is standard issue as business continuity relies less on internal planning and more on sustained confidence from american investors. Bullying disguised as a "high-pressure environment" is paired with a tendency to assign blame. But do not worry, you can escape it through generous annual leave (as many do). Salary reviews, promotions, and any career growth are stalled long enough to deserve a commemorative plaque at "About Us" webpage. Senior management visibility is largely ceremonial. Decisions are made, unmade, and then reassigned to someone who started last week. There is a lot of talk and noise about impact, values, and transformation... just not much evidence of them anymore in the daily work lives of those who make this place run.
