Pros
I first began at SolarCity roughly two and a half years ago, when the company was still quite new and embarking on its expansion to the East Coast. They took a chance on me, seeing potential in a young college graduate who was eager to learn with only non-corporate previous work experience. Since my first day, not a single day goes by where I do not learn something which I did not know before. My experience has been ripe with lessons in customer service, organization, project management and creativity. Having been at the company for several years, I've had the opportunity to work with many people in both supporting departments within the company and outside of the company. Learning how to communicate with outside sources, be it the utility companies or customers, has been an invaluable lesson. Almost every peer I've had the pleasure of working with has been supportive and helpful. There is a strong team environment and I always feel supported in my decisions and responsibilities. One of the best things about the company is the mission to provide the country with access to renewable, clean energy. Because the mission is so pure, I feel better about the work that I do, knowing that it has such an impact of the environment. Everyone works incredibly hard here, all trying to provide the best customer service possible and meet company goals.
Cons
While this is not a con for me personally, I have seen the effect that the nature of the company can have on others who are less adaptable to change. The company is a start up achieving rapid expansion, which means that there are growing pains. What may work for a certain amount of customers may not necessary work for a much larger amount, so process change and revision is constant. Also, as we work hand in hand with outside jurisdictions (such as HOAs, utility companies, and city/county permitting offices) we must learn to manage the ever-changing requirements to make sure our product is to code. I find this constant change exciting, but others have been overwhelmed as what you learn one week can be incorrect by the next week. In order to be successful for this company, one must be able to think quickly and be adaptable to change.