This is not a very reliable job at times. As you have probably read everyone complain about the excess of hours and lack of help, there is a flip side. Depending on which lab you work, I worked 2, there are slow seasons and too much help. At that time hours get cut back and usually get told to just enjoy the free time while you can. I'm putting the degree portion in the cons because if you don't have one life becomes a lot harder to promote no matter the experience. They will hire people with high degrees and give them everything. The down side to that is I got stuck working with a hand full of master degree holds that weren't their weight in salt. It's very discouraging for some people to see such treatment. The benefits are kind of a joke as they are really expensive and probably the worst I've ever seen being offered. It wasn't uncommon to get a company email about writing positive reviews or hear about it in lab meetings.