Overall Experience (as a community-based DSP)
Pros
- You really build teamwork with your buddy staff. - Hours and work-life balance are pretty good. - Bonds with clients are also good.
Cons
- DSPs are severely underpaid (especially in this economy), even with gas reimbursement. Shorter hours (6.5 per day) will result in even lower take-home pay. - Not a lot of room for growth (career and salary-wise), unless you already have a degree. Salary raises are minimal (worked here for 3+ years and received a <$1 raise). I have co-workers who have been here for 30+ years who make the same as I do. The next step up is only about a $1 increase in pay, but a major increase in workload. - Community-based work is not for you if you care about your car mileage. - Not a very good job to stay in long-term.