Pros
some cool coworkers, insurance, snacks, monthly massages, activities, new office.
Cons
It depends on what team you are on and what leaders you work with- some teams are good and you can learn and grow in, not all. Cons here: low pay, big box uncreative projects, low retention, most political firm I have ever been at. They hire waves of designers, and let go of them just as quickly (not just designers- nobody is safe). There is little actual regard to employee retention when they churn employees over so quickly. They are definition of "cad monkeys". I did not necessarily see a correlation between hard work and reward. Despite claims they use a fair peer review system, the "fair" reviews are more for show. This is the most political firm I have been at, where hard work is often trumped by strategic alliances and smack talking. You don't move up unless you are "ready", a term that is nebulous and different for everyone. Instead of productivity, time was spent holding meetings about team members' feelings, and leaders referred to designers as "toxic". This is not only unprofessional, but the complete antithesis to team building, and it was a very toxic witch hunt atmosphere underlying a happy family veneer. They have a lot of activities for showing what a great place they are, but I would caution designers to be aware of these strategies and Always look out for Yourself first. If possible, go somewhere else where you will be respected and paid more. If not, learn what you need to learn and leave. With this place, one day you're liked, the next you're cut.