Pros
I have, and will continue to,highly recommend employment at CSA to my colleagues. 1. Best fringe benefits package I've seen. Period. 2. Familial environment (could also be seen as a con by some, but it is a pro to me) 3. Willing to hire someone with little or no relevant experience and train them. 4. Reasonably flexible in trying to match your professional growth goals with your assignments. The size of the company somewhat limits this, but management seems to make an honest effort. 5. Easy access to management, new ideas/complaints will at least be listened to at all levels, even up to executive. That doesn't mean they will all be implemented, but at least you will be given the opportunity to bring them up. 6. A culture of trust and encouragement. I've witnessed (and personally received) multiple instances where management has built-up and encouraged a consultant that took a risk that "bombed". Letting people learn from their mistakes without the fear of getting fired is a rare thing in the current defense environment. 7. Great IT support (no, I'm not the IT guy/gal). Getting new computers, most current software, and freedom to download tools that you think will help you do your job (along with quick support if those tools mess up your machine) is a great benefit that I didn't know was important until I joined CSA.
Cons
1. Raise and bonus criteria is not objective at all, high performance reviews have no impact on your compensation. Asking for a raise is seen as disrespectful and ungrateful. 2. Promotion into management is very difficult unless you are in the "circle of trust". 3. Many of the "cool" benefits like all expenses paid golf tournaments, annual hotel stays for the family, extravagent Christmas parties and hosted happy hours seem to be gone for good. 4. Things get more political the higher you get in the company. This may be true of any company, so not sure if that helps anyone reading this.