Pros
I've worked at Mason in 3 different administrative positions for the last 15 years, so clearly I enjoy it here. This is a big, bustling campus, which is invigorating if you like that kind of energy. The population can be a mixed bag, but there are great people here, from dedicated faculty and staff to bright, engaged students. It can feel overwhelming to be one tiny component of a giant organization, the trick is to focus on your immediate community and concentrate on the impact you can make there. The benefits are good, and really the main reason I think people gravitate towards the university. The luxury of having 2 weeks paid vacation during the holidays can not be overstated. It can be hard to break into the field here, as I have experience hiring staff and each position can receive hundreds of applicants. Once you're in, you can feel secure in your job and have an advantage applying for future positions within the university. Full-time employees can take 12 credits a year at no cost. This is amazing if you're looking to finish/continue with your education, and the reason I initially sought employment here. There are tons of resources here, everything from fitness centers, public transportation, professional development courses, workshops, conferences, theater performances...there are so many more opportunities outside of your 9-5pm job commitments.
Cons
This isn't a place where aggressively career minded people can expect to climb the ladder. You come here for the security, not the potential for advancement. People tend to get entrenched in their jobs, in my experience the number one source of turnover is retirement. If you're looking to move up, the most efficient method seems to be by making small title increases moving from department to department. Raises aren't really a thing. We occasionally get cost of living increases, that's about it. Traffic in this area is awful. Some days I get here in 25 minutes, other days it takes me an hour or more. It's hard to predict your commute time. Northern Virginia is an expensive region to reside in. Mason pays well for the area, but even so, unless you're a Dean or a Vice President or something I wouldn't take a job here with the expectation of buying a summer home. With a school this large you can expect a lot of bureaucracy. Trying to get something done can often times require consulting with several other departments you had no idea even existed. Parking is limited.